This Week's Top New Bites
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Government Agrees Not to Abolish Class II National Insurance Contributions
Following the joint efforts of the NFU and TFA, the Government has announced that it will not proceed with the planned abolition of Class 2 National Insurance contributions. The change was originally intended to simplify the tax system for the self-employed. However, the NFU and TFA expressed concern that the change would impact negatively on self-employed individuals, such as farmers, with low profits who would have seen the voluntary payment made to maintain access to the state pension rise substantially. For more information, click here.
Government Launches Pilot Scheme for Seasonal Workers
DEFRA and the Home Office have announced a nationwide pilot to allow fruit and vegetable farmers to employ migrant workers for seasonal work for up to 6 months. Under the scheme, 2,500 workers from outside the EU will be able to come to the UK each year to assist with alleviating labour shortages during peak production periods. For more information, click here.
TFA Nominated to be a National Trust Appointing Body
The TFA has been shortlisted with 35 other organisations to be considered as a potential organisation able to appoint a representative to the National Trust's Council. Only half of the organisations nominated will be selected based on a vote at the National Trust AGM. If you are a National Trust member, why not consider using your AGM vote to support the TFA’s nomination? For more information click here.
BCMS - Policy Change re Replacement Passports
The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) has adopted a change in their policy regarding replacement passports. From the 1st October 2018, BCMS will be introducing a time limit of 6 weeks from the date of issue for keepers to report if a passport is never received. Previously there has been no time limit and replacement passports have been issued free of charge, however, post 1st October 2018 there will be a £20 fee.
The TFA Top Team Meets with AHDB
Following the announcement of the review of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB), the TFA’s National Chairman, James Gray, Junior National Vice-Chairman, Robert Martin and Chief Executive, George Dunn met with AHDB Chairman, Peter Kendall and Chief Executive, Jane King on Wednesday of this week. The discussion was wide-ranging including the nature of the levy, organisational governance, AHDB activities and its value to the industry. A fuller report of the meeting will be available for TFA members next week. For further information about the review click here. Any TFA members wishing to provide views to help the TFA prepare its response to the review, should email them to tfa@tfa.org.uk.
RPA Website Weekend Maintenance
Rural Payments Service will be unavailable from Friday 7th September starting at 4pm whilst essential maintenance is undertaken. The service will be available again at 7am on Monday 10th September.
African Swine Fever Risk Raised to Medium
Following several outbreaks of African Swine Fever in commercial pig herds in Poland and Romania and an outbreak in pigs held domestically in Bulgaria, the UK Government has increased the risk of disease occurring in the UK from low to medium. All individuals keeping pigs must remain vigilant for signs of the disease and maintain high levels of biosecurity. For more information click here.
Call for Evidence – Countryside Stewardship
Now that we have passed the deadline of the 31st August for Countryside Stewardship applications to be submitted to Natural England, we would like to hear about your experience. Whether you submitted, withdrew or came up against resistance from your Landlord, feedback on your experience of the application process is vital for us to understand. Get in contact by phone or email to Lynette Steel, TFA Policy Adviser or 0118 9306130 or advice2@tfa.org.uk
Four Farmers Die of Cattle Related Injuries
This week the TFA has been informed of 5 fatal accidents on farms of which 4 have involved cattle. All members are urged to take health and safety issues around cattle incredibly seriously. More information can be obtained by clicking here.
Princes Farm Resilience Programme Launches
The Prince’s Farm Resilience Programme opened for applications on September 3rd. The unique programme, now going in to its third year, offers one to one on farm support as well as a series of group workshops, covering areas such as finance and business planning, as well as preparing for the future such as succession planning and change management post-Brexit.
The programme is completely free, and is aimed at beef, sheep or dairy farming families. To find out more please visit www.princescountrysidefund.org.uk/farmresilience
NSA South Sheep Event, Ardingly
TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, will be leading a seminar on promoting positive landlord/tenant relationships in the post Brexit era at the National Sheep Association’s South Sheep Event at the South of England Showground, Ardingly, West Sussex this Saturday, 8 September at 1:30 PM. For more information, click here.
Making Tax Digital Workshops
Herefordshire Rural Hub is working in Herefordshire & Gloucestershire with the Fastershire broadband project, Faster Farmers. This project aims to help farmers exploit new digital technology and methods of working to expand and grow their businesses by providing free training and advice.
With the Making VAT Digital initiative being introduced from April 2019, Hereford Rural Hub are organising workshops in Herefordshire on Tuesday 11th September and Gloucestershire on Thursday 13th September. For more details about these events click here.
Memorial Service for Professor John Nix
TFA members are reminded of the details of the memorial service in celebration of the life of the renowned Professor John Nix who died in March of this year. The service will take place on Wednesday 12th September at 3pm at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU. All TFA members are welcome to attend.
And Finally...
Get involved! TFA Rent Benchmarking
The TFA Rent Databank provides a valuable benchmarking tool allowing members to make rent comparisons. Our Rent Databank is only as good as the information provided by you, our TFA members.
If you have recently agreed a rent on any land that you farm, whether it be an increase, decrease or a standstill, please remember to submit the details to the TFA Rent Databank by clicking here, or by phoning the office on 0118 930 6130.
Remember, it's completely confidential. Only summary information will be presented online, so your farm cannot be individually identified. Further information is only shared with your permission.
