DEFRA has confirmed that the Agriculture Bill has been scheduled to complete its remaining stages in the House of Commons next Wednesday, 13th May 2020. It is still anticipated that the Bill should receive Royal Assent this summer.
DEFRA has announced a new hardship fund for English dairy farmers to assist with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak. Each farmer should be able to access up to £10,000 funding to cover 70% of lost income during April and May. Please see the gov.uk website for a news release. Further details of this new hardship fund will be issued "in due course"....
Marian Spain has been appointed as the permanent chief executive of Natural England, having been serving as interim chief executive since December 2018. Please see the gov.uk website for further details.
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 30th April 2020 We are in unusual times. It is, depending on the measure, 50 or 100 years since there was such a disease threat in the UK while we may now be in the sharpest contraction in the economy since the Great Freeze of 1709. This period has been very disruptive but, as members attest, professional work, from valuations to renewable energy, has continued. While transactions have fallen away, the market reports are of...
The Pick for Britain website https://pickforbritain.org.uk/ offers information and guidance on seasonal jobs in agriculture, with links to jobs, frequently asked questions and Government guidance. Those who have been furloughed by employers may be able to take on seasonal farm work if their contract of employment does not prevent it....
The RPA has confirmed that bridging payments will be issued to Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship agreement holders who have not received a 2019 revenue claim payment. The payments should be 75% of the current estimated claim value and issued this May. Please see the gov.uk website for further details....
Kate Russell of the CAAV explains why good practice is so important in compulsory purchase and other statutory compensation claims and highlights some of the key messages for agents involved in this work. Also available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Catch-up on previous episodes here....
Government has confirmed a one month extension to claim for farm payments in England. The 15th May deadline has been extended to 15th June 2020 for BPS 2020 applications and 2020 revenue claims for Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship. Please see the press release on the gov.uk website for further details....
The Government has confirmed that it will temporarily relax some competition law so that the dairy processing industry can work together to manage supply and demand during the coronavirus pandemic. In recent weeks some dairy farmers have had to throw away fresh milk because their buyers have lost catering and food service contracts. It is hoped that the temporary relaxation will allow more fresh milk to be processed into longer-life products, such as cheese, butter, or skimmed milk powder....
Michelmores Solicitors has published a useful article on options for landowners facing busy rights of way during the coronavirus pandemic. The article can be found on the Michelmores website.
Contract Farming Webinar Thursday, 30th April 2020 10:15 - 11:15am With many farmers and landowners needing to look hard at and review their businesses, joint ventures offer one possible answer. Contract farming agreements have developed as one form of joint venture approach that has suited many. They can be flexible, give access to skills and machinery but need to be done properly. Widely used in combineable cropping, the CAAV has updated its publication “Arable Farming with...
The Government has issued the formal Notice to Proceed for HS2 Phase 1, which enables the detailed design work and then construction to begin for the London to West Midlands section of the railway.
The Scottish Government has called on people to be responsible in their use of rights of access to the countryside during the Covid-19 pandemic, suggesting that people should stay in their local area, maintain social distancing, respect the health and safety of farm workers and keep dogs under control.
Lantra Scotland has set up a Skills Matching Service to help rural and land-based businesses find staff with suitable skills and to help those looking for work to find suitable positions. Visit the Lantra Scotland website for more information.
New Regulations will come into force in England in 2020 which will require all landlords of residential premises to carry out electrical safety inspections every five years. New tenancies will need to comply from 1st July 2020 and existing tenancies from 1st April 2021. Kate Russell of the CAAV reviews the new Regulations and explains what they will mean for landlords and their advisers. Also available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Catch-up on previous episodes here....
Wales' Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has confirmed that the Single Application Form (SAF) deadline is now extended to 15th June 2020, giving an extra month to complete forms. She has also confirmed that the Crop Diversification requirements are being removed for BPS 2020. To alleviate potential cash flow issues, an additional £5.5m has been allocated for the BPS and Glastir 2019 support scheme which has re-opened today for farmers who have not received...
In a joint statement the TFA and CLA, with DEFRA’s support, are appealing to all rural landlords and tenants to work together collaboratively and compassionately during this unprecedented time. The plea is made in respect of all tenancy matters, but particularly rent payments, notices to quit and finalising new tenancy agreements. The full statement is available on the TFA and CLA websites....
The Government has published advice for pet owners and livestock keepers during the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals
The Government has published guidance on access to green spaces, encouraging people to use green spaces near their home for exercise and not to travel to get to them.
The Government has published advice on moving house during the lockdown for the coronavirus outbreak: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/government-advice-on-home-moving-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice, has written an open letter to the food industry thanking all those involved for their efforts so far in supporting the nation during the coronavirus outbreak.
On 26th March Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced that self-employed workers will be able to apply for a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The money will be paid in a single lump sum, but will not begin to arrive until the start of June at the earliest.
Podcast No. 6 - EPCs and MEES for domestic property: what you need to know Energy efficiency in buildings is a key area for Government to tackle if it is to meet the deadline for net zero carbon by 2050. Kate Russell of the CAAV explains how the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are being implemented for let residential property in England and Wales at the moment and looks ahead to where standards will go in future. Also available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Catch-up...
The Chancellor has announced today (20th March) that the Government will step in and pay up to 80% of wages for employees not working due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Many professional firms are publishing useful guidance on their websites for businesses during the Covid-19 outbreak. As examples of what is available, Michelmores solicitors has published guidance for employers and Roythornes solicitors has published information on employment issues for farm businesses....
DEFRA has confirmed that the crop diversification rules under "greening" will not apply for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2020 applications. This is to assist farmers in England who have been unable to establish crops because of the prolonged wet weather and flooding. In addition, the Farming Recovery Fund is being further extended with £6 million funding to assist farmers affected by flooding during February 2020. This support is being made available to eligible farmers in parts of East and...
The Bank of England has cut the base rate to 0.1% with effect from 19th March 2020, as part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Prime Minister has said that he will introduce legislation to prevent tenants in the private rented sector from being evicted if they are unable to pay rent due to lost earnings because of the coronavirus outbreak. Further details are awaited.
DEFRA has published its response to the consultation on agricultural tenancy reform in England. A response from the Welsh Government is also expected.
The government has annouced the introduction of the Coronavirus Emergency Measures Bill to enable action in five key areas:- 1. increasing the available health and social care workforce 2. easing the burden of frontline staff 3. containing and slowing the virus 4. managing the deceased with respect and dignity 5. supporting people The legislation is to be time-limited for two years. Further details on the powers to be introduced can be found on the GOV.UK website. The Bill is due to be...
As part of a package of financial support for businesses affected by coronavirus, the Welsh Government has confirmed: 100% business rates relief will be apply for retail, leisure and hospitality businesses with a rateable value of £51,000 or less; A £5,000 reduction in business rates for pubs with a rateable value between £51,000 and £100,000; and £100m grant funding for small businesses - further details on this grant scheme "will be confirmed as soon as possible."...
DEFRA has confirmed that nine organisations have been awarded a proportion of £1 million funding being made available as part of a Future Farming Resilience pilot. The projects approved range from one to one advice to workshops and should assess the effectiveness of these approaches in supporting farmers and land managers through the seven year agricultural transition period from 2021. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website and DEFRA's Blog....
The two month window for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2020 applications and annual revenue claims for existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements has opened. BPS applications and CS/ ES claims must be submitted by 15th May 2020 to avoid late claim penalties. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website....
Following yesterday’s budget announcement, we have recorded a new podcast episode. This is the first budget of Boris Johnson’s majority government and the newly appointed Chancellor, Rishi Sunak. Packed with announcements and substantial spending commitments, what does it all mean for rural business owners? Tune in to hear Jeremy Moody’s expert analysis of the policy changes and new fiscal measures. Also available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Catch-up on previous episodes...
The Bank of England has cut the interest rate to 0.25% today (11th March 2020) as part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Scottish Government has made initial CAP convergence payments worth £86.2 million to over 17,400 farmers and crofters. This represents the first tranche of a £160 million convergence funding package. A further payment should be made in the "coming weeks". More information can be found in the Scottish Government's News Release.
The RPA has issued an update on payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship. The headline figures given in the update are:- BPS 2020 payments have been made to almost 99% of eligible claimants (total value of £1.76 billion); Environmental Stewardship (ES) - 77% of agreement holders should have received a full payment for ES 2019 annual revenue claims (total value of £133 million); and Countryside Stewardship (CS) - 37% of agreement...
Episode No.4 - Residential Tenancies: Radical Reform in England – or is it? Kate Russell of the CAAV explains the key measures set out in the Rented Homes Bill, including the proposed abolition of assured shorthold tenancies in England. This is the most significant change to the letting of residential property in England for forty years, but what will the real impact be for private landlords? The full podcast is available below and on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts. Catch-up on...
The Environment Bill has been brought forward today for its Second Reading in the House of Commons, giving MPs the first opportunity to debate the new Bill. The Bill forms a key element of the government's commitment to an ambitious environmental programme and is one of the main vehicles for delivering the 25 Year Environment Plan. Further details can be found on the GOV.UK website....
Environment Secretary, George Eustice, delivered his speech earlier this morning at the NFU Conference. The speech was originally scheduled for the first day of the Conference (yesterday) to coincide with the publication of the Agriculture Bill Policy Statement and the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) consultation, but had to be delayed due to a meeting of the Cabinet to discuss the latest flooding issues. The transcript of the speech can be viewed on the GOV.UK website....