Sunday 27 May 2012
Property News
The NFU has today said that the views of Welsh Government are currently broadly in line with those of the farming industry in Wales, following the Welsh Government’s response to the European Commission’s CAP Pillar 1 proposals. NFU Cymru President Ed Bailey said, "The response picks up on many of the concerns highlighted by NFU ...
In the past, Wales has been recognised as one of the innovators of agri-environment schemes in Europe through the Tir Gofal Scheme. But since then, according to the NFU, backwards steps have been taken and regaining that status can only be achieved through a fit for purpose agri-environment scheme. The National Assembly for Wales’ Envi...
The Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) Independent Agricultural Appeals Panels will continue to operate, Farming Minister Jim Paice announced today, after a review found they were a valued service for the farming industry. The body makes recommendations to Ministers on appeals against the RPA’s decisions on Common Agricultural Policy paym...
Following the recent extreme rainfall across parts of the UK, potato growers are being warned of the potential increase in slug numbers which could now occur if soil temperatures rise sharply. According to Norfolk-based grower and independent potato specialist, Andrew Alexander, there is a real need for vigilance and preparation for the possibi...
Local farmers, business people, environmentalists and community leaders took a farmland walk by the River Dove to launch a new five-year Peak District National Park Management Plan. The location, at Lower Hurst Farm near Hartington, was chosen to represent what the plan is aiming for - a flourishing local business that cares as much for its nat...
Over 1,000 acres of land across Kent will come to the market this summer, according to BTF Partnership. After more than 40 years of farming in the North Kent Downs, Tim Young decided to retire and his landlord will submit a substantial area of arable for sale. The holding near Faversham extends to over 574 acres and comprises grade II and hig...
NFU Cymru met with Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Alun Davies and expressed concern over proposals announced by Welsh Government last week that could potentially see future funding for agri-environment schemes in Wales reduced. The announcement came as part of a statement made by the Deputy Minister on EU Programmes in Wales to the National A...
Agricultural accountants are urging farmers and rural businesses to take advantage of a second round of grant funding to boost their businesses. Defra is now inviting applications for grants of up to £25,000 to enable businesses to buy new machinery and develop green projects. The grants total £40 million and mark the opening of the second r...
The Government’s stance on brownfield development as set out in the National Planning Policy Framework has been welcomed by land and environmental institutions. The NPPF was introduced by the Department for Communities and Local Government on the 17th March 2012 and is considered to be an improvement on the draft policy. The policy expl...
A leading rural land and estate agent has joined into a partnership with Farm Valuation Services Scotland (FVSS). Bell Ingram has announced the arrangement which comes in response to a sustained buoyancy in the farming sector. "The farming sector has been indicating considerable demand for this type of specialist service for some time so we...
Ford Farm, a West Dorset Based cheesemaker has announced that it has recruited ’Prospect Farming’ as its latest milk supplier. Prospect Farming is a new dairy business that has revived the age-old ’Hosier’ method of milking - a process that takes the milking parlour out into the fields instead of the cows to the milking p...
New proposals to modernise the process of recording rights of way, developed in consultation with groups such as the Ramblers and Country Land and Business Association, have been unveiled by Environment Minister, Richard Benyon today. The proposals have been welcomed by farming associations such as the CLA who say it will enable land managers to...
Fears about recession and a range of proposed tax measures to be introduced from October 2012, and into 2013, including the removal of the zero-rating of VAT on alterations to listed buildings and a cap on tax relief for trading losses, are contributing to uncertainty for rural business, farmers and landowners. "A significant number of rur...
The CLA today urged the Government to learn from the mistakes it made at Weymouth Bay in Dorset when rolling out a further 190 miles of coastal path around Cumbria, Dorset, Kent, Norfolk and in the North East. The Association has previously stated that plans for more coastal access in England were a waste of public money but said if the Governm...
The Tenant Farmers Association has endorsed the National Sheep Association’s report on the "Complimentary Role of Sheep in Less Favoured Areas" published today. TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said the report captured the importance of breeding livestock production to the uplands, environment and economy. "With Natural Engla...
The announcement by the Environmental Agency, effectively approving the process of ’fracking’ for shale gas, will give a green light to energy companies seeking suitable land for exploration. Already energy companies are actively drilling in North East England and there are other potential sites, in Central Scotland, Northern Ireland...
Significant increases in commodity prices and the rising cost of fuel, stock, feed and machinery has triggered concerns that some farmers in the West Country may not be adequately insured. Rural insurers say the issue is ’serious’ for the region’s agricultural industry and is urging farms to review their insurance cover more ...
Government proposals to withdraw water abstraction licences without paying compensation are extremely concerning, the NFU said today. Defra’s consultation on the Water Act 2003 contains proposals that could leave farmers without a licence to abstract water, and no right of compensation. In addition, the NFU believes that Defra has been ...
Thrapston’s livestock market is set to relocate to new premises on the edge of the town following East Northamptonshire Council Planning Committee’s decision to approve plans for the Thrapston Rural Agricultural Centre. The approved development will provide a new livestock market building, offices and agricultural merchant retail un...
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