FWi has reported that Elin Jones, Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister, has decided to suspend Tir Cynnal (entry level agri-environment scheme) for two years as result of the high level of applications to their Organic Farming Scheme launched in November 2007 and a resultant need to adjust the budgets available to Axis 2 schemes over the next two financial years. Further information is available on the FWi website....
DEFRA has confirmed that Bluetongue Serotype 1 (BTV1) has been detected in five imported cattle on a premises near Blackpool, Lancashire. Further information is available on DEFRA's website.
The Pre-Budget Report was delivered yesterday afternoon by the Chancellor. Details are available on the HMRC website. Further information is also available on HM Treasury website. Further briefing will be available within Members' Documents later today.
DEFRA has announced that the UK is officially free from Avian Influenza with effect from 20th November 2008, meeting criteria of the World Organisation for Animal Health. This will assist the poultry industry in re-opening export markets beyond the EU. Further information is available on the DEFRA website
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced that £2 million funding to support nature conservation. A £750,000 campaign is being launched to encourage volunteering work and more than £1 million is for a new fund to improve local wildlife records in England to increase availability of information. Further details are available on the DEFRA website.
DEFRA has confirmed that further cases of Bluetongue (BTV8) have been found following post-import testing. Infection has been found in one imported sheep on premises in Gloucestershire and in a group of six imported cattle on premises in Dorset. The animals originated from France. Further information is available on DEFRA's website.
DEFRA has today (3rd) announced the formation of a new Bovine TB eradication group for England. This joint DEFRA/Industry group has been set up to advise the Secretary of State about bovine TB strategy in England. Membership of the group is yet to be finalised. Further information is available on DEFRA's website.
A new UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP) has been launched today by DEFRA and the UK livestock export industry. UKECP is an informal industry working group which will initially be subject to a three year trial period. Further information is available on DEFRA's website.
The Welsh Assembly Government has confirmed that a further £6.8 million funding will be made available for the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). This will mean that all applications for the 2008 OFS can be met and that a further 100 applications will be supported for the 2009 OFS. Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly website....
The Welsh Assembly Government has submitted an amendment to EU rules which prevent on farm burial of stock so that on farm containment would be permitted prior to disposal. It however seems that Wales has not received any support for such a derogation despite strong negotiations with the European Commission. Please see the Welsh Assembly Government website for further information....
DEFRA has confirmed that Bluetongue Serotype 6 (BTV6), which is a new serotype not previously found in the EU, has been found on three farms in the Netherlands. BTV8 has been the serotype predominating to date. All livestock exports from the Netherlands were banned on 20th October whilst these cases were being investigated. Further information is available on DEFRA's website....
With effect from 16th October 2008, the RPA can now only make payments via BACS as a result of requirements under European legislation. This affects all payments made by the RPA including Single Payment Scheme and agri-environment scheme payments. If farmers have not registered their bank details with the RPA, they will need to do so as soon as possible. Further information is available on the RPA website....
The RPA has reminded sugar beet growers and contractors that application forms for compensation where they held contracts with British Sugar in 2006, 2007 and 2008 must be returned to the RPA by 31st October 2008. Further information is available on the RPA website.
The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) is progressing with the implementation of the TB eradication programme with the National Assembly voting yesterday for increased powers of entry to premises in order to test camelids and goats for TB, which were previously not in place. The press release is available on the WAG website. WAG has also published the final report which evaluates the South West Wales Biosecurity Intensive Treatment area which can be found by clicking here....
A legal case has been launched this morning in the High Court backed by the NFU involving 14 farmers claiming damages following the 2007 Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak. Further information is available on the NFU website.
The Older Cattle Disposal Scheme (OCDS) is due to end on 31st December 2008 and the RPA had orginally announced that the OCDS slaughter booking system would close on 30th September. However, after further analysis by the RPA, it seems that there is further slaughter capacity available and the RPA is encouraging farmers to book as a matter of urgency. Further information is available on the RPA website. A website showing slaughter slot availability at abattoirs can be found by clicking here....
A case of the H5N1 strain of avian flu has been identified on a poultry farm in Saxony, Germany. Protection and Surveillance Zones are in place around the infected premises. This is the first outbreak of the H5N1 strain recorded on a poultry farm in Europe in 2008. Further information regarding this outbreak is available on the Europa website (the news item may be viewed by scrolling down on this link)....
The Scottish Government has confirmed that Scotland will become a Bluetongue Protection Zone from Monday 3rd November 2008, allowing free movement of livestock throughout the United Kingdom from that date. The window for compulsory vaccination for sheep and cattle will also open from that date for six months, with the Scottish Government meeting half the costs of the vaccine. Further information is available on the Scottish Government website....
Following Gordon Brown's Cabinet reshuffle last week which saw Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Hilary Benn remain in DEFRA, it is understood that Food and Farming Minister Jeff Rooker who has retired from Government has gone in addition to Phil Woolas, Jonathan Shaw and Joan Ruddock. The DEFRA website confirms former Financial Secretary Jane Kennedy and Lord Hunt of Kings Heath as Ministers of State, with former junior Welsh Minister Huw Irranca-Davies as the...
DEFRA has confirmed that the exemption from the cross compliance standard which prohibits the use of motorised vehicles and the carrying out of mechanical operations on waterlogged soils (GAEC 3) has been extended until 25th October 2008 (the original exemption announced on 10th September was due to end on 4th October). This is as a result of excessive rainfall which has prevented farmers from harvesting crops. This extension to the exemption will be kept under review by DEFRA. Further...