19 December 2018
The 2019 subscription renewal demands are being sent out with the December News Letter.
The continuing development of the CAAV’s website now allows members to pay their subscriptions on-line, using credit or debit cards through the Members’ Area of the CAAV website. As with other purchases on the website, payment is made through the secure facility provided by Sage Pay – no card details are held on the CAAV website.
This is an additional option, alongside payment by bank transfer and by cheque.
The facility to pay subscriptions on-line is to be available from 1pm today, Wednesday 19th December when members who have not paid the 2019 subscription will, on logging into the Members’ Area, see a screen inviting them to do so.
The procedure for renewing a subscription on-line is:
- Go to the CAAV website
- If not logged in automatically, log in to see to the Members’ Area
- Once logged in and if the CAAV has not already received your subscription, a message will appear to prompt you to renew your membership
- Your 2019 subscription fee will appear in a box on the right hand side of the screen.
- Check the amount shown on the screen.
- To pay - Click on “Add to Basket”
- Then - Click on “Checkout”
- Follow the payment instructions on the screen.
- You will be asked if you are a qualified member of the RICS and complying with its regulatory requirements. This is to assist the CAAV with monitoring professional standards.
- Once your payment has been successfully completed you will receive an e-mail with a receipted invoice.
The screen prompt to pay does not block further access to the Members’ Area of the website which remains freely available to members
However, and as for many years, a late payment increase applies to most subscriptions that are not paid by the end of January. All renewed subscriptions are due by February 28th. Members who have not paid by then will cease to have access to the Members’ Area of the website or receive the News Letter and publications.
18 December 2018
DEFRA has confirmed that farmers in parts of the bovine TB Edge area who remain clear of bovine TB for at least six years will be allowed to revert to annual testing, rather than six-monthly testing. This change is to take effect from May 2019. A press release is available on GOV.UK.
18 December 2018
The Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, has launched a new Resources and Waste Strategy. A news release is available on GOV.UK which gives further details and has a link to the Strategy document.
17 December 2018
17th December 2018
The 2018 CAAV examination results are being sent out to candidates today.
We are pleased to welcome 83 new Fellows, a very similar number to the 84 who achieved the FAAV qualification to last year. With a higher than average pass rate, average marks in all parts of the examinations are consistent with previous years.
We congratulate all who have been successful this year and offer best wishes for next year to those who passed part only or failed. Those wanting a feedback session on the Written part should contact the Secretariat and for the Practical/Oral part, the local examination convenor.
We thank the examination convenors, examiners and all who have helped for their work and commitment in this important part of the CAAV’s life and future.
We will, as every year, be reviewing this year’s examinations and the lessons to be learnt for future examinations at our January Examinations Conference to keep this key rural professional qualification up to date.
14 December 2018
The new First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford, has announced his cabinet which sees Lesley Griffiths remain as Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs. Full details of the cabinet are available on the Welsh Government website.
11 December 2018
Since the BPS 2018 payment window opened on Monday 3rd December, over 95% (14,700) of Welsh BPS 2018 claimants have been paid either a BPS 2018 payment or a loan payment. Please see the Welsh Government website for further details.
11 December 2018
The Welsh Government has confirmed additional funding will be made available under the Rural Development Programme as follows:-
- £62.9m for the extension of Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic contracts to 2021
- Additional application round of Glastir Small Grants
- £16m for the Sustainable Production Grant
- Continued support under the Farm Business Grant
Please see the Welsh Government website for the news release.
06 December 2018
The RPA has confirmed that BPS 2018 payments were made to 55,179 claimants (over 65%) on Monday 3rd December. The RPA says it is "on track" to pay at least 90% of claimants by 31st December 2018. Please see GOV.UK for further information.
04 December 2018
Following the departure in November of Natural England's CEO, James Cross, an Interim Chief Executive, Marian Spain, has taken over this week. Please see GOV.UK for further information.
25 November 2018
The EU Withdrawal Agreement and Political Declaration on the future relationship between the UK and the EU have been approved by the 27 EU leaders at a special meeting of the European Council today (25th November 2018). This now needs to be voted on by the UK Parliament, which is expected to take place in early December 2018.
15 November 2018
Prime Minister Theresa May has held a press conference in 10 Downing Street and her statement is available on GOV.UK.
15 November 2018
Prime Minister Theresa May has updated the House of Commons on progress with the Brexit negotiations. Please see the GOV.UK website for the Prime Minister's statement.
09 November 2018
James Cross has stepped down today from his role as Natural England's Chief Executive and Marian Spain, an existing Natural England Board member, will be taking over as interim Chief Executive "shortly". Further details are given on GOV.UK.
01 November 2018
In September, the Welsh Government announced that there would be changes to the valuation of in-calf cattle in Wales for TB compensation. Those changes take effect from today (1st November 2018) and mean that written proof of Pregnancy Diagnosis will now be required when cattle are being valued. Further information is available on the Welsh Government website.
26 October 2018
The CAAV is lending its support to the Government's campaign to raise awareness of anti-money laundering requirements for those involved in property sales and purchases. The Flag It Up campaign will help professionals involved in property sales to identify suspicious activity which may be connected to money laundering and to report it to the authorities.
Further information can be found in the Government press release:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-campaign-to-prevent-properties-bought-with-dirty-money
25 October 2018
Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, is launching a new £60,000 fund today (25th October) to "develop and test pollinator habitat mapping". Funding is also being provided to two projects to create pollinator-friendly landscapes: The Bumblebee Conservation Trust's "West Country Buzz" project in North Devon and The Martin Down farmer "Super Cluster" in Hampshire. Further information is available on GOV.UK.
25 October 2018
A Fisheries Bill is to be introduced to Parliament today (25th October). The Bill is to give the UK control of who may fish in UK waters and what terms apply. Further information is available on GOV.UK.
18 October 2018
A new pilot Forestry Investment Zone has been launched in Cumbria today. The pilot is to run for two years and "will be used as a test-case for rolling out the initiative more widely around the country". Please see GOV.UK for further information.