News

DEFRA is to appeal the decision of the High Court in the pesticides case brought by campaigner Georgina Downs. (See the CAAV website note of 18th November 2008.)

The House of Lords Select Committee on the Constitution has published a report on the Marine and Coastal Access Bill, critising the Government's decision to ignore the advice of two earlier Parliamentary committees to include a right of appeal on coastal access issues. The report can be viewed on the Parliament website.

The EU has agreed a package of measures to tackle climate change, including a commitment to ensure that 20% of final energy consumption is met from renewable sources. For the full press release, go to the Europa website.

The Scottish Government has ruled out any extension of the Right to Buy for agricultural holdings in an attempt to encourage more letting of agricultural land. For the full press release, go to the Scottish Government website.

The RPA has been issued with a Decision Notice by the Information Commissioner's Office following a complaint under the Freedom of Information Act and Environmental Information Regulations. The Notice requires the RPA to release CAP information relating to payments made between October 1999 and October 2005. Further information is available on the RPA website.

DEFRA has today announced that the voluntary approach to vaccination against Bluetongue serotype 8 is to continue. There had been discussions about the possibility of a compulsory vaccination strategy, but this has been rejected in preference to continuing with the voluntary approach in 2009. Further information and the 2009 vaccination plan are available on DEFRA's website.

The European Court of Auditors has published a Special Report looking at whether cross compliance is an effective policy. The report concludes that cross-compliance is a vital component of the Common Agricultural Policy but is not effective in its current form. Further information is available on the Europa website.

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee has announced it is carrying out a new inquiry to look into the UK's capability to secure food supplies up to 2050. The inquiry will be conducted in two parts with the first looking at the challenges the UK faces with the demands for increases in food production and the second addressing what needs to be done by the Government, farmers, growers/producers and the food industry in order to meet the challenges. Further information about the...

The European Commission has authorised the use of GM soyabean MON89788, known as “Roundup Ready 2”, for import, processing, food and feed uses. The soyabean is a Monsanto product and will be licensed for 10 years initially, after it received a favourable assessment from the European Food Safety Authority. The full press release can be found on the Europa website.

The Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) will be gathering evidence for its inquiry into the future of England’s uplands during February 2009, when it plans to hold “evidence gathering seminars” and six regional meetings. The dates and places of the meetings have not yet been published. The CRC is particularly keen to hear the views of those who do not normally contribute to such a debate. More detail about the Inquiry is available from the CRC website and we will keep members informed...

Following the opening of the payment window for 2008 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) payments on 1st December, the Welsh Assembly has confirmed that 82.5 per cent of farmers were processed for payments (exceeding 75 per cent achieved for 2007 SPS payment) with some £183 million paid into farmers' bank accounts. The intention of the Welsh Assembly is that 85 per cent of farmers should receive their payment by Christmas. Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly website....

Welsh Assembly Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones, announced at the Royal Welsh Winter Fair yesterday that the policy in Wales regarding inconclusive reactors is to be brought in line with the EC Directive with effect from 1st March 2009. This will mean that inconclusive reactors will be removed following one re-test, rather than two which is currently the case. We understand from the Welsh Assembly that prior to this becoming mandatory next year, farmers may voluntarily request that the animal...

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.

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....