This What's New section is a quick one-stop shop to show you the most recent additions to the Members Area (log-in required) and News items.
Those preparing to submit a claim for CS or ES in 2024 are reminded that the land use codes for the relevant parcels should be updated where there have been changes.
Following the announcement last week of two schemes to specifically support investment in on farm infrastructure (see our note), this note sets out more detail of the two slurry schemes being offered by Welsh Government.
Updated to V.6.1 on 7th May 2024 The RPA has prepared a Sustainable Farming Incentive Q&A document, addressing some common questions about both the general nature of the scheme and some action-specific issues. The RPA's intention is to provide a common understanding of the purpose and requirements of aspects of the scheme. This is to be a 'living document'; it will change as new questions and issues arise and so should not be taken as a fixed and definitive guide. It should also be read in...
This note sets out unit fertiliser values for Spring 2024 for use in connection with end of tenancy valuations.
Ahead of a statement due on 14th May, the new Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca Davies, has made a written statement to the Senedd on the next steps for the proposed Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS), this note provides a summary.
The Climate Change Act 2008 requires the Government to prepare a 'carbon budget delivery plan' setting out how the targets for reducing emissions will be met. The latest version, approved by the Minister in 2023, had been subject to a legal challenge by a collection of eNGOs and climate advocacy groups. On Friday 3rd May, the High Court ruled that the plan did not meet the requirements of the Act, and the Government must therefore revisit the document. We wait to see if the Government will...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 2nd May 2024 The Agriculture Act 2020 gave powers for measures to promote “fair dealing obligations for business purchasers of agricultural products”. Three and half years later, the first fruits of that process are now coming through with the Fair Dealing (Milk) Obligations Regulations due to take effect from early July. These set standards that milk purchase contracts are to meet with both specific opportunities for...
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 2nd May 2024 The Agriculture Act 2020 gave powers for measures to promote “fair dealing obligations for business purchasers of agricultural products”. Three and half years later, the first fruits of that process are now coming through with the Fair Dealing (Milk) Obligations Regulations due to take effect from early July. These set standards that milk purchase contracts are to meet with both specific opportunities for...
Recognising the prolonged period of wet weather, an Extreme Weather Summit meeting was held resulting in Welsh Government highlighting the importance of investing in resilience. In response to concerns over slurry storage capacity the Welsh Government has announced there will be two schemes which specifically support investment in on farm infrastructure, these are: the Nutrient Management Investment Scheme andthe Small Grants – Yard Coverings scheme. Both schemes are to open shortly and £20m...
As part of a general policy on awarding public sector grants, the Scottish Government has advised that, with effect from 1st April, it has introduced “Fair Work” conditionality as an extra condition for some new grants. This note provides more detail.
The new The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI No. 579) make changes to Class Q, R, A and B permitted development rights, with effect from 21st May 2024. These changes are summarised in this webnote which includes a full text of the new Class Q. However, these changes also act in ways that mean that some aspects of Classes Q, A and B would be at least notionally narrowed. Where this applies, transitional provisions on the Order...
Following CAAV representations, the RPA has now postposed the planned downtime for the system from 13th May to 16th May. That planned for the evening of 15th May still appears to be going ahead.
Agricultural permitted development rights (including Classes Q and R) in England have now been enlarged following last year’s major consultation paper. The legislation has just been issued as The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development etc.) (England) (Amendment) Order 2024 (SI No. 579) and takes effect from 21st May. This note provides more detail....
The Government has now introduced the Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 (SI 537) using its powers under the Agriculture Act 2020 to govern purchase contracts for agricultural produce. This note looks at the provisions of the Regulations.
The Nationwide Building Society, the UK’s second biggest mortgage provider, is now reported as refusing to offer loans on some dwellings that it assesses as at high risk of flooding. This note sets out more detail.
This note provides an update on the processing of abstraction license applications in England.
This article by Jeremy Moody first appeared in the CAAV e-Briefing of 25th April 2024 Targets are everywhere in modern government. In principle, they can set a discipline to achieve results, measured and monitored for management. Sometimes, so many are set that they confuse or even counter each other; some are badly set with perverse results. Some targets seem set just as a gesture, with magical thinking that a target is an answer not then needing action, role playing in response to pressure...
The Welsh Government has updated its guidance for landlords in respect of regaining possession of residential dwellings under the Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016, which includes the publication of a flowchart to aid in ensuring service of valid s.173 ('no-fault') notices for periodic contracts. Additional guidance on understanding the possession process is also available for tenants, but landlords and their agents may find it useful to refer to this guidance as well....
The Environment Agency is inviting farmers in England to apply for a new screening study to assess and rank water resources options for farming. The fund aims to help farmers to investigate how they can better manage water for use in times of drought. The full details of the study can be found here....