Figures released today by the RPA show that they have met their second target of making 90 per cent of SPS 2008 full payments by value by 31st March 2009. The latest figures show that £1.47 billion has been paid which equates to 90.4% of the total estimated fund (£1.63 billion). Further information is available on the RPA website.
A farmer in Cumbria was taken to court by Natural England for causing 'severe damage' to a SSSI in Cumbria - Cropple How Mire - through overgrazing. The farmer has been fined £1,200 and ordered to pay £4,663 costs. Further information is available on the Natural England website.
Following a consultation process, the Soil Association has decided against allowing a 'holiday' from the organic standards required for animal feed given to organic stock as a result of the current economic climate. The proposal earlier this year was that organic stock could be fed non-organic feed to assist farmers affected by the falling demand for organic products. As a result of this decision, all Soil Association food will have to continue to be produced to full organic standards. Further...
DEFRA has confirmed that following further laboratory tests, the HN61 avian flu virus found on poultry premises in East Anglia is of low pathogenicity. As a result the restrictions imposed have been lifted. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.
The Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee has voted to reduced interest rates to 0.5%. Further information is available on the Bank of England website.
The RPA has commenced making 2009 HFA payments. All successful claimants should receive a 75% partial payment, with the remaining 25% being paid once inspections and validation of claims is completed. Further information is available on the RPA website.
The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (formerly the Game Conservancy Trust) have launched a world record attempt to provide the largest bird feeder on their farm at Loddington in Leicestershire. The full story is available on the GWCT website.
Following veterinary investigations last week, DEFRA has confirmed that avian influeza (H6N1strain) has been found on two poultry premises in East Anglia. Further tests are being carried out with results not likely for some days. Restrictions remain in place at the affected premises. Further information is available on DEFRA's website.
Sport England will open a themed funding round on 1st April 2009 to invest in sport in rural communities. Funding opportunities will be available to organisations such as local sports clubs and community groups, with a minimum grant of £10,000. For further information, see the Sport England website.
The compulsory deadline for Bluetongue vaccination in Scotland has been extended from 30th April 2009 to 30th June 2009 for farmers who have livestock on uninhabited islands and remote hill sheep flocks located north of the Great Glen, the latter group will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis and an application for the vacination extension will have to be submitted. This is as a result of welfare concerns. Further information is available on the Scottish Government website....
The Welsh Assembly will commence making 2009 Tir Mynydd (the Welsh equivalent of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme in England) payments next week. The Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, has also indicated that an announcement will be forthcoming soon with regard to the future of support in the Less Favoured Area following the review of Axis 2 agri-environment schemes. Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly website....
The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has produced a report on wild deer in the UK which gives an overview of deer populations, the legislation surrounding deer and some of the impacts which an increasing deer population is having on the countryside. The report is available on the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technologywebsite.
The Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs outlined a number of initiatives for Scottish agriculture during a speech to the Scottish NFU Conference, including: * Expanding the new entrants measure * A new agriculture subsidy appeals procedure * Five 'Climate Change Actions' * Creation of a pilot project to reduce red tape * Publication of research into pigmeat labelling The full press release on the speech can be found on the Scottish Government website....
In response to a request under the Freedom of Information legislation, the RPA has released data on payments made between 2005 and 2007. The data includes the name, address and postcode of the recipients, plus the amount and date of the payment and the scheme it was under. For the full press release, visit the RPA website.
Reading University are conducting a confidential on-line consultation about the experience and incidence of TB in England since 1980. The survey is estimated to take between 15 and 20 minutes to complete on-line and can be accessed from the Reading University website.
The Chief Veterinary Officer for Wales has written to all vets in Wales urging them to encourage farmers to take up vaccination of their livestock against bluetongue serotype 8. The full press release can be found on the WAG website.
DEFRA have established a new Task Group to develop a plan for increasing the uptake of anaerobic digestion technology as a source of renewable heat and power. For more information, go to the DEFRA website.
Hilary Benn, speaking at the NFU Conference, has announced that a voluntary approach will be one option up for consideration during a consultation on set aside mitigation measures. Mandatory and incentive-led options will also be considered during the consultation, which is expected this spring with a decision to be taken in the summer. For the full press release, go to the DEFRA website.
The Government has announced that the Budget will be presented to Parliament on 22nd April 2009.
The Welsh Assembly Government has announced a funding package worth £26 million to develop anaerobic digesters as an alternative to landfill across Wales. For the full press release, go to the WAG website.