DEFRA has confirmed that a case of H7N7 avian flu has been found in Lancashire. The temporary control zone imposed on Friday has now been replaced by a 3 kilometre protection zone and a 10 kilometre surveillance zone. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.
Clare Moriarty, the current Director General at the Rail Executive in the Department for Transport, has been appointed as the Permanent Secretary for DEFRA. She will take up the post this summer and replaces Bronwyn Hill. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.
The Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV) elected its new Presidential Team for 2015/16 at its AGM and Conference in Windermere on 26th June 2015. The newly elected CAAV President is Charles Meynell of Fisher German in Stafford, who will be supported by Senior Vice-President Nick Millard, of Michelmore Hughes in Somerset and Junior Vice-President James Dick, who has his own consultancy business in Aberdeenshire.
George Eustice is to continue at DEFRA as Minister of State and Rory Stewart (MP for Penrith and the Border) joins the Department as Parliamentary Under Secretary. It has already been confirmed that Liz Truss continues as Secretary of State.
Liz Truss is to continue as Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs under the new Conservative Government. Patrick McLoughlin continues as Transport Secretary. Greg Clark becomes Secretary of State at DCLG and Amber Rudd is the new Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. Sajid Javid moves to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is replaced at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport by John Whittingdale.
Parliament was prorogued on Thursday 26th March, bringing to an end all Parliamentary business. It will be formally dissolved on Monday 30th March in preparation for the General Election on Thursday 7th May.
A low severity (H7 strain) case of avian flu has been confirmed in chickens on a farm in Hampshire. A 1 km movement restriction zone has been imposed around the farm. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website.
The CAAV is holding three full day briefings in England covering BPS 2015, the new online Rural Payments system and changes to the Cross Compliance rules for 2015. The dates and venues are:- - 27th January - Tortworth Court Hotel, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire - 30th January - The Pavilions, Harrogate - 5th February - The Marriott Hotel, Huntingdon Further information and booking form may be found in the Events section of this website....
Please note that following the sad passing of Rowland Beaney just prior to Christmas, his memorial service is being held on 13th January. As many involved with the CAAV examinations wish to attend, we have decided to postpone the Examinations Conference that was due to take place on that date. A new date will be advised in due course.