We have received the following update from the RPA: Customers intending to apply for CS Mid-Tier online (closing date 15 September 2023) will need to submit land changes no later than 5 Sep 2023. Please advise your members that we can prioritise emails if they include the subject heading ‘CS application RLE1 land change’ and their SBI.
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 31st August 2023 We have yet to see what the true effect of the Government’s proposed changes to nutrient neutrality might be. The combined package of legislative amendments (yet to pass the House of Lords), measures and funding is intended to achieve both the unlocking of house building and improved quality of water courses. That package represents a move from a single tool, requiring nutrient neutrality only from...
Members will be aware that farmers and land managers have been invited to register their interest in applying early for the SFI 2023 as part of the controlled rollout of the scheme. Submitting the Expression of Interest form when invited to do so will enable eligible applicants to access the scheme as it is opened. The speed of the controlled rollout will then be assessed to prevent backlogs and delays. Once applicants have registered their interest, they are advised to review the scheme...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 24th August 2023 Harvest can be a time for taking stock – perhaps especially with this year returning to a more catchy form after last year, with better weather grabbed when possible but with challenges in drying costs, quality and prices. More have had old crop in store and any national surplus faces export markets. For many, tax payments on the 2022 harvest year will be due in January. But it marks the completion of a...
DEFRA has announced that from 23rd August, the ban on gatherings of Galliforme poultry and birds has been lifted. Galliforme birds include chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridge and quail. The ban has only been lifted in England and Galliforme birds and poultry from Wales and Scotland are not allowed to attend bird gatherings in England. Gatherings are subject to the APHA poultry gathering general licence and giving APHA seven days notice of the event. They are not permitted in disease control...
The Welsh Government has published a study by consultants ADAS reviewing the impact of solar PV sites on soils and land quality. The study reports includes a literature review and background material. It finds that the main impact is from soil compaction during construction and, implicitly, decommissioning, measured in terms of potential changes to the Agricultural Land Classification. It also finds that there remain many gaps in the evidence, knowledge and experience....
Northern Ireland: Farmers and advisers in West County Armagh, South Tyrone or all of Fermanagh are reminded to register for Zone 2 of DAERA’s Soil Nutrient Health Scheme (SNHS). The deadline to do so is 31 August 2023. More detail on the SNHS is available in our website note of 23rd June 2023....
The Farming & Countryside Programme team at DEFRA is holding a webinar for farmers to find out about the payments available in England. The webinar will take place on 6th September, between 11:30am and 12:30pm. More detail, and booking, is available here: Defra funding for farmers webinar Tickets, Wed 6 Sep 2023 at 11:30 | Eventbrite....
DEFRA has recently launched a campaign to recruit a new cohort of members for the Independent Agricultural Appeal Panel. As you know, the panel is an important part of the process in considering cases of dissatisfaction relating to policy. Details of the application process can be found via the link below: Role details – Independent Agricultural Appeals Panel members – Apply for a public appointment – GOV.UK (apply-for-public-appointment.service.gov.uk)...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 17th August 2023 News of planning permission for a prawn farm in Crowland, Lincolnshire draws attention to high investment agricultural projects in a number of UK farming sectors where the business, rather than the property, will be the driver of value. This is still agriculture, further testing farming’s spectrum from food production to land management. According to the proposition, agricultural planning rights may be...
The Rural Payments Service will be unavailable due to maintenance between 5pm on Wednesday (16th) and 9am on Thursday. We have been informed by the RPA that this 'is a full system release with critical items in it, including urgent fixes for MT Online'. Members will be aware of some ongoing issues with CS Mid-Tier applications. The CAAV has been told by the RPA that no one will be disadvantaged by a technical error. Those experiencing issues are advised to: Read through the CS application...
Natural England have updated their guidance on stacking payments for Biodiversity Net Gain, Nutrient Neutrality in England. The update provides more information on using the same land for BNG and/or NN and government agri-environment schemes. The guidance can be found here: Combining environmental payments: biodiversity net gain (BNG) and nutrient mitigation - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)....
DEFRA opened Round 3 of the Small Research and Development (R&D) Partnerships on 14th August. Our website note of 2nd August contains more detail....
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 11th August 2023 A recent international survey by the insurance broker, Gallaher, found UK businesses curiously passive in preparing for climate change. 48 per cent said it had already harmed them, with a mix of the direct impact of extreme weather, higher operating costs and disrupted supply chains. However, 53 per cent had then taken no action, thinking it the government’s task to ensure that businesses prepared –...
DEFRA has today (10th August) published the following in relation to the SFI 2023 offer: the voluntary ‘How to do the SFI actions’ guidance some minor updates to the SFI handbook, and a summary of what’s been updated
Janet Hughes, Farming and Countryside Programme Director, and Jonathan Marsden, Head of Standards for SFI, are holding a webinar on SFI 2023 on this Thursday afternoon, 10th August at 3.30 pm to 5.00 pm. Their aim is to provide an opportunity for advisers to ask questions about the actions and guidance in the SFI 2023 Handbook before applications open. This is the registration link for this Advisers webinar. Intended for advisers only, this event precedes possible later, more sector specific...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 3rd August 2023 “Wish upon a star.” It might work in Disney films but it is no basis for engaging with reality to answer the many large challenges we face. These require focused thought, effective mechanisms, planning and logistics and sustained attention with leadership giving explanation, not magical thinking. An immediate illustration of grand aspiration meeting reality lies in HS2. The Infrastructure and Projects...
The Bank of England has announced that the Bank Rate has been increased to 5.25%, an increase by 0.25% from 5%. The vote was 6–3 in favour of the increase to 5.25%. One member preferred to maintain Bank Rate at 5% and two preferred an increase to 5.5%.
RPA MAKE OVER 80,000 ADVANCE BPS PAYMENTS The RPA yesterday (1st August) made the first part payment of Basic Payment for 2023 to 81,090 applicants (97 per cent of applicants) of which 80,554 have received the money with the balance subject to “banking holds” and the money should be released shortly. Where a payment has not yet been released, the RPA is working to pay where possible in two further payment slots in August. The payment should represent half the currently assessed sum due...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 27th July 2023 With an election next year and the problems of a seriously under-supplied housing market, the political parties are on manoeuvres over planning policies in England. Labour has been setting out an apparently pro-development stall for some months, with local housing targets, development corporations to take and develop land, breaking the “taboo” of the green belt and favouring onshore wind. The Conservative...