News

Grant aid is available for Cumbrian farmers to help them clear land of debris and stone left behind after the recent floods. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.

The RPA has met its first formal target for the issue of SPS 2009 payments having made 75% of full payments by value. This first formal target was due to be met by the end of January. The next formal target to be met is 90% of full payments by value by the end of March. Further information is available on the RPA website.

We are compiling a list of CAAV members who act as Mediators in order to assist other members in need of this service. Members who would like their details included should contact Kate Russell at kate@caav.org.uk.

VAT to return to 17.5% at 01/01/10 SDLT holiday ends 31/12/09 Empty rates relief to continue National Insurance contributions to rise by 0.5% IHT personal allowance threshold frozen at £325,000 50p per month levy on landlines to pay for improved broadband access. As we receive the detailed papers we will post further information on the website.

The RPA has issued a 2009 SPS payments update which states that 81% of SPS claimants in England should have received full payments to date following the opening of the payment window on 1st December 2009. Further information is available on the RPA website.

The EU has approved an emergency aid package for dairy farmers worth 300 million euros. The UK's share of the total is 29.26 million euros which is to be allocated to individual farmers by the end of June 2010. DEFRA has until the end of February to decide the objective criteria it will use to distribute the funds. Further information will be posted as soon as it is available.

Following the flooding experienced in Cumbria, the RPA Workington office has re-opened today. Please see the RPA website for further information.

Due to the recent flooding in Cumbria, the RPA office at Workington is closed today (23rd November). An extremely limited telephone service is in place. There is also a reduced service for BCMS. Further information is available on the RPA website.

The CAAV Centenary Young Valuers' Conference is taking place at Magdalen College, Oxford on 8th January 2010. The reduced Early Bird booking rate for delegates is closing on 25th November after which time the full rate will be charged. Book now to avoid disappointment. Booking form and brochure are available under "Events" on this website and any enquiries should be directed to Elaine Neades 01594 832979 elaine@caav.org.uk

Welsh Assembly Ministers have voted (49-9) to support the TB Eradication (Wales) Order 2009 last week. Further information is available on the Welsh Assembly website. It is understood that the Badger Trust has sent a letter to the Welsh Assembly Government as part of the Judicial Review Pre Action Protocol which asks for a response by 19th November 2009....

Farming and conservation groups will today (Thursday November 5) join forces with the Government in a groundbreaking agreement to help farmers and land managers protect and enhance the nation's countryside. The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) aims to retain the environmental benefits formerly provided by set-aside under the Single Payment Scheme (SPS) in three key areas - resource protection, farmland birds and farm wildlife. The industry led voluntary approach, which was given backing...

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has confirmed that it is broadening the eligibility criteria for entry into its forthcoming Young Entrants Support Scheme (YESS) so that it will now be open to farmers who have set up as head of holding for the first time in the 12 month period prior to them submitting their YESS application. Further information is available on the WAG website....

The European Commission has agreed to allow Member States, on a temporary basis, to pay farmers up to €15,000 of state aid. This move is aimed at assisting the dairy sector but is open to all farming sectors. Further information is available on the Europa website.

Farmers Guardian has reported that a motion to annul the proposal for a legal badger cull has been put forward by two Welsh Assembly members. The matter will be debated on 4th November. For the full story, go to the Farmers Guardian website.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has commenced making early payments for SPS 2009 to farmers affected by the collapse of DFoB. Further information is available on the WAG website.

The National Audit Office has published a damning report on the administration of the Single Payment Scheme by the RPA, describing a "serious lack of attention to the protection of taxpayers' interests" and a "lack of senior management ownership of the scheme". The report and an executive summary can be downloaded from the NAO website.

The Infrastructure Planning Commission, which will decide planning applications for nationally significant infrastructure projects, has launched its new website which can be found at www.infrastructure.communities.gov.uk

Following a public consultation, the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has laid the TB Eradication (Wales) Order 2009 which gives them powers to make use of culling and vaccination of badgers as part of the Welsh TB Eradication Programme. Further information is available on the WAG website.

The European Commission has announced that it will recover €214 million from Member States for non-compliance with EU rules on the implementation of the CAP. Great Britain will be fined €10.94 million for overshooting financial ceilings and for not meeting payment deadlines. The largest fines go to France (€70 million) for...

The Commission for Rural Communities is seeking evidence of how rural businesses are coping with the recession for its next report to Government. Views are sought on prospects for the future; bank lending; business closures and start-ups; and the use of support measures. To contribute evidence before Friday 9th October, go to the CRC website....

The European Commission has set out a further package of measures to assist dairy farmers. Further information is available on the Europa website.

DEFRA has announced the composition of the Responsibility and Cost Sharing (RCS) Advisory Group who are to assist with formulating the way in which RCS may be introduced in England. The Group is to report back to DEFRA Secretary Hilary Benn by late 2010. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.

DEFRA has announced the dissolution of the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy England Implementation Group (EIG) which was created in 2005 to help deliver the Animal Health and Welfare Strategy. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.

Council of Food Policy Advisors has published its first report which includes a focus on a UK fruit and vegetable strategy as one of three priority areas. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.

The Environment Agency has published the latest edition of their Floodnews publication, including articles on Shoreline Management Plans and coastal erosion. It can be downloaded from the EA website.

HMRC has issued a warning of an e-mail scam purporting to inform people of tax rebates. HMRC has confirmed that it would not use e-mail to contact a taxpayer about a rebate. The full warning is available on the HMRC website.

Mobile communications businesses Orange and T-Mobile have announced that they are to merge in November. The move is expected to be followed by a rationalisation programme which is likely to see the number of mast sites reduced and some high street shops closed.

Applications are invited for part-time, unsalaried posts on the National Park Authorities for the South Downs (10 posts), Exmoor, Lake District, North York Moors and Peak District (1 post each). There is also a place available on the Broads Authority and the Chilterns AONB Conservation Board. The deadline for applications is Tuesday 6th October and further information is now available from the DEFRA website....

Environment Secretary Hilary Benn has announced that £16 million is to be made available to local communities to tackle surface water flooding. Further information is available on the DEFRA website.

In response to criticism, Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones has said that any speculation with regard to Glastir in advance of the availability of operational detail is premature. Further information is available on the WAG website.

The RPA has issued a reminder that all applications (SP20 form) for an allocation of new entitlements for SPS with regard to land used for permanent fruit, vegetables, nursery crops and vines must be received by midnight on Thursday 13th August 2009 to avoid penalties being applied. Please see the news release on the RPA website. Further information about this allocation of new entitlements is also available on the RPA website....

DEFRA has published its UK Food Security Assessment as part of its work to develop a Food Strategy for the next 20 years. For more information, see the full press release on the DEFRA website.

Hundreds of CAAV members and guests joined celebrations to mark the launch of the CAAV Centenary year with events at the Royal Welsh Show and CLA Game Fair in July. Members can read a full report on the events in the Members Documents section of the website.

DEFRA has confirmed the 2009 Agricultural Wages Board Order which will come into effect from 1st October 2009. Details can be found on the DEFRA website and in their latest press release.

The House of Lords' role as the final and highest court of appeal will come to an end at the end of July. From October 2009 the new Supreme Court will take over those functions. For further details, see the press release on the Parliament website.

The Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has announced that more than £900,000 is to be offered in grant funding to repair and restore some 22 of Wales' important historic buildings. Further information is available on the WAG website.