What's New

Following recent commentary on the increasing demand for second homes, and their impact on rural communities, this note offers an overview and reviews some of the policy mechanisms put in place to address the identified issues.

This note offers some background to the recent fluctuations in the Energy Markets.

This note provides a summary of recent comments by Lord Frost in the House of Lords setting out the Government's intentions to review regulations inherited from EU law.

This note continues our series reviewing the practical application of the Biodiversity Metric 3.0. It examines how enhancement is calculated within the Metric, as well as the impact of location on the final value of a proposed scheme.

The Environment Bill had its third day of the Report stage in Lords on Monday 13th September with consideration of and Government replies on a range of subjects including whether the Bill will be delayed until after COP26, the approach to water abstraction licences, issues around biodiversity gain and Local Nature Recovery Strategies. See this note for detail.

This note offers a summary and some context to the recently published National Audit Office report into the the Environmental Land Management Scheme.

The Scottish Land Commission has published A Guide to the Provision of Information Required to Accompany a Notice of Intention to Relinquish. The guidance details the information that is required to be submitted with a ‘Notice of Intention to Relinquish.’

The Northern Ireland Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has announced an extension the COVID-19 eviction protection for residents. The legislation was due to expire on 30th September 2021 but has been extended until 4th May 2022 by The Private Tenancies (Coronavirus Modifications) (No.2) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2021. Landlords are to give tenants a 12 week notice to quit period before seeking a court order to begin proceedings to evict. More information can be found in our web note 19...

DEFRA has announced that the Countryside Stewardship Facilitation Fund will re-open for its 6th round at the end of the year. This note sets out the background of the fund.

This note continues our series exploring Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) and the practical application of the Biodiversity Metric 3.0. It reviews the position of watercourses within the Metric, and how they may deliver biodiversity units within a BNG offsetting scheme.

The Scottish Government has issued an updated 'Regulation of Letting Agents Monitoring and Compliance Framework' document, which outlines how ministers will ensure compliance of those involved in letting agency work.

The Government has published an updated 'Right to Rent Checks: a user guide for landlords and tenants' to detail how those with outstanding applications for the EU Settlement Scheme evidence their right to rent. In addition, an updated COVID-19 guide for landlords has been updated to reflect that temporary changes to right to rent checks will remain in place until 5 April 2022....

This note summarises the National Model Design Code for England.

An update on recent announcements relating to the Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot.

This note sets out two recent comments for Lord Goldsmith in the House of Lords during the second day of the Report stage of the Environment Bill.

This note draws members' attention to the recently announced Scottish Government Rural Communities “Ideas into Action” Fund, which is set to provide £1.5 million for community groups in rural areas to trial ‘new and innovative ways to address local challenges and benefit from local opportunities.’

This note sets out the 3 step process that can be used when assessing the spreading of organic matter regulated by the Environment Agency's Regulatory Position Statement 252, set out in our website note of 18th August.

The Government’s independent regulation advisory group, the Regulatory Horizons Council, has released report setting out recommendations for the future regulation of the use of genetic engineering technologies and products in agriculture. This note sets out some background to the report and reviews the recommendations....

Following a consultation last year, the Scottish Government has today announced that the Lands Tribunal for Scotland and the Scottish Land Court are to be amalgamated when legislative time is available. This note reviews the proposal.

The Environment Bill is now entering its final Parliamentary stages. The first day of the Report stage was held in the House of Lords yesterday, including discussion of soils. An opposition amendment requiring that a soil health target be set was passed. During the debate, Lord Goldsmith spoke on behalf of the Government. Some of his comments are extracted within this note. It remains to be seen whether the Government might overturn the amendment when the Bill returns to the House of...

This note reviews the recently published Programme for Government for 2021-22, and pulls out the key agricultural and environmental policy announcements and plans.

This note summarises the proposed health and social care levy.

NIE Networks Ltd have published their wayleave rates, taking effect from 1 August 2021.

The CAAV model Farm Business Tenancy for Wales (for an initial term of more than 2 years) has been updated with some housekeeping changes. The template is available here as Word document (CAAV Model FBT Wales 0921 V1 4) with the previous edition as a pdf document showing the tracked changes. The model agreement is offered to members to adapt and modify to record the actual business agreement between owner and farmer and to suit the individual circumstances. Such adaptation is a matter for the...

The protection of business tenants from eviction in Wales is extended until 25th March 2022 by The Business Tenancies (Extension of Protection from Forfeiture etc.) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (No. 3) Regulations 2021 (WSI 2021/952 (W.217).

The Welsh Government has further extended the ban on evictions of business tenancies from 30th September 2021 until 25th March 2022. Find more detail in the press release.

DEFRA has announced the awards from the first round of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. Projects in areas including the South West, Lancashire and Cumbria and Greater Manchester have received over £16 million for peatland restoration. This is a first step to meeting the Government's target of restoring 35,000 ha of peatland by 2025. Currently, Discovery Grants available for organisations to scope sites and develop plans for peatland restoration, and the second round of...

DAERA has issued a reminder that the Forest Expansion Scheme closes on 31 August 2021. This scheme provides grant support for new woodland panting of 3 hectares or larger. Full details of the scheme, as well as other woodland grants, can be found on the DAERA website.

This note reviews the recently published agreement between the Scottish Government and the Scottish Green Party, a Shared Policy Programme for Government; the appointment now of the Agricultural Reform Implementation Oversight Board (ARIOB); and the opening of an initial consultation on future policy - Agricultural Transition in Scotland – The First Steps Towards our National Policy.

This note reviews the recently published Future Agricultural Policy Framework Portfolio for Northern Ireland. This document lays out the planned framework for future support payments in Northern Ireland. A consultation on detailed proposals is forthcoming.

This note sets out briefly the details of a recent round of BEIS grant funding for innovation in biomass feedstocks.

Farmers in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire can attend free workshops and one-to-one advice sessions, covering a range of IT topics, such as new software, hardware, use of social media, online marketing and websites. Offered as part of Fastershire's Business Support Programme, 'Faster Farmers' is one of the initiatives linked with the rollout of cable broadband in the area.

The Welsh Government has made an announcement that they seeking views on council tax premiums for second homes and long-term empty properties and non-domestic rates for self-catering accommodation. Find the consultation here and see also the written statement. The deadline for the consultation is 17th November 2021....

DEFRA have opened a consultation into proposals for the future release and management of beavers in England. The consultation aims to establish a framework to allow beavers to be reintroduced into the wild, provided project proposals meet certain criteria. The consultation is open to members of the public and runs until 17 November 2021. It can be found here....

The Welsh Government has announced that the £2million Farm Business Grant Window will open to applications in September 2021. The grant will be available for farmers to invest in new technology and equipment to improve their technical, financial and environmental performance. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

This note summarises the Environment Agency Regulatory Position Statement (RPS) 252 on Farming Rules for Water - Spreading Organic Manure on Agricultural Land.

The Environment Agency has launched a consultation, reviewing the way licence holders are charged to abstract water from the environment, to safeguard water supplies. See the press release here.

The Government has published a consultation on The Central List for the 2023 Business Rates Revaluation. The deadline for responses is 11:45pm on 8 November 2021.

The Welsh Government is consulting on the Draft Valuation for Rating (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021. The consultation deadline is 27th September 2021. It is accompanied by a written statement by Rebecca Evans MS, Minister for Finance and Local Government....

The Welsh Government has launched The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG), a new scheme part of the National Forest for Wales Programme. The grant will provide financial support for people to: create new woodlandsmake improvements to existing woodlands which meet the standards of the National Forest. The window for application opened on 14th July and runs until 27th August 2021. The Welsh Government has published questions and answers from The Woodland Investment Grant (TWIG) Live Event held on...

This note sets out the details of the Farm Business Review Package published by AHDB.

This note sets out the joint policy response on animal welfare and transport published by DEFRA and the Welsh Government. This is to be taken forward in the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill now in Parliament.

A consultation has been launched on the Welsh Agricultural Pollution Regulations. The Economy, Trade and Rural Affairs Committee is gathering views on The Welsh Government’s agricultural pollution regulations. Find the full details of the consultation here. The deadline for the consultation is 10th September 2021.

This note continues our series exploring the working Biodiversity Metric 3.0. It contains detail on the relative position of hedgerows and lines of trees within the Metric.

The Agriculture Act 2020 inserted a new s.19A into the Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 enabling a tenant to: - challenge a landlord’s refusal of consent or conditions for consent - seek to vary the terms of tenancy agreement where this is either to: - have access to a financial assistance scheme under the Agriculture Act (such as one of the environmental land management schemes) or - to meet a legal obligation The legislation encourages prior discussion between tenant and landlord but if...

The CAAV model Farm Business Tenancy for England (for 2 years or less) has been updated with effect from 10th August 2021. The new version is attached as a Word document, as well as the previous edition as a pdf document showing tracked changes. The model agreement is offered to members to adapt and modify to record the actual business agreement between owner and farmer and to suit the individual circumstances. Such adaptation is a matter for professional judgment of the member for which the...

The CAAV model Farm Business Tenancy for England (for an initial term of more than 2 years) has been updated with effect from 10th August 2021. This version has been created as a result of developing policies in the Agriculture Act 2020, the perspective changes of the Environment Bill and other changes, as outlined in the accompanying 'Commentary' document. The template is available here as Word document (CAAV Model FBT V9 06 08 21 Final) with the previous edition as a pdf document showing the...

On 9th August Working Group I of the IPCC published its contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), on the physical basis for climate change. This note offers an overview of the findings.

The Government has announced plans to trial the rollout of broadband by utilising existing water pipes to install fibre optic cables. This new scheme could support the £5 billion Project Gigabit plan to level up broadband access in hard-to-reach areas as well as the £1 billion Shared Rural Network, which aims to create reliable 4G phone signals to many of the most isolated parts of the country....

The Environment Agency, Leeds City Council and the White Rose Forest partnership are encouraging landowners in the River Aire catchment to participate in a scheme that is to provide funding for natural flood management (NFM) activities. This website note sets out some further detail of the programme.

In this note, we summarise the decision in this case regarding indemnity clauses and the implications for those advising clients or negotiating agreements for interim or permanent rights under the Electronic Communications Code.

This note - prompted by the recent wildfires in North America - explores some of the risk management issues for carbon markets and biodiversity offsetting.

DEFRA have made amendments to the online guidance for the Sustainable Farming Incentive Pilot. In particular, the advice on soil compaction and green cover has been updated. The full guidance is available here: Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot: summary of advice - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)....

This note offers an update on three recently published energy policy documents and consultations: The Smart Systems and Flexibility Plan 2021Digitalising Our Energy System for Net Zero: Strategy and Action Plan 2021Energy Future System Operator Consultation...

An update on the results of the second round of the Green Recovery Challenge Fund.

The Welsh Government has published guidance on when entitlements can be transferred and how to notify the Welsh Government of a transfer of entitlements.

The Private Tenancies Bill provides a framework for future regulations in Northern Ireland in respect of health and safety standards of dwellings, as well as altering notice to quit periods and restricting rent increases.

This note provides a brief overview of recent Government policy for flood risk management.

The Government has announced that the Catchment Sensitive Farming Programme has been extended across the whole of England and the funding for the programme will now be almost doubled, with an additional £17m over the next three years. This means that every farmer able to access advice and support by March 2023 to help tackle pollution which results from manure, fertiliser and soil running off into rivers when it rains. See the GOV.uk website for more detail....

Proposals for biodiversity net gain was the subject of an extensive debate in the House of Lords, which the CAAV reported on in this webnote. During that debate, the Minister, Lord Goldsmith, promised to make further replies to a number of points raised by peers. This note provides an overview of the Minister's responses.

This note explores the treatment of scrub habitat within the Biodiversity Net Gain Metric 3.0, and offers further guidance and commentary on the practical implications of biodiversity net gain.

Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG) Code of Good Practice for projects, schemes or works requiring landlord’s consent in agricultural tenancies.

The Tenancy Reform Industry Group (TRIG) has now published a new Code of Good Practice for projects, schemes or works where an agricultural tenant needs landlord's consent. This note offers an overview of the guidance. The Code can be seen on the RICS’s website....

Farming Connect has published a factsheet on the Control of Agricultural Pollution Regulations - Storage of Silage

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposed changes to Energy Standards and associated topics, including ventilation, overheating and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The consultation deadline is 15th October 2021.

This note contains a summary of the current home loss payments payable in the devolved parts of the UK, including an update for changes to apply in England from 1 October 2021.

This note reviews the detail of the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme - which is to provide funding to farmers and land managers in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, National Parks and the Broads - and provides some examples of projects that may be funded through the scheme.

This note offers an overview of the process of reverse auction, and explores the example of the UK Woodland Carbon Guarantee Scheme.

This note reviews a recent series of reverse auctions, in East Anglia, for the provision of habitat for turtle doves. The auction was part of an ELMs Test and Trial that was managed by the RSPB.

This note offers an overview of the VAT considerations for the purchase and sale of carbon credits.

This note summarises whether the obligations under The Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 apply to the landlord for a tenancy over 7 years with a break clause before the end of the 7 years.

The Building Safety Bill has been put forward to Parliament. In this note, we review the broad changes proposed within the Bill, including the New Homes Ombudsman Scheme, creation of the Building Safety Regulator, changes to building control and the Defective Premises Act 1972.

Edwin Poots, Northern Ireland Environment Minister, has renewed the call for responses to the NI Peatland Strategy Consultation. For more information on the consultation - which was opened on 09 June 2021 and closes on 01 September 2021 - see out website note of 09 June 2021....

The Government has launched a consultation for local residents to express their views on the future development around the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. See the press release. The Creating a Vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc consultation aims to help the Government create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, and in doing so guide the future growth of the area to 2050....

Natural England has now published the Biodiversity Metric 3.0, the calculating tool to be used when establishing baselines and assessing proposals for Biodiversity Net Gain. With the Environment Bill now progressing through Parliament and expecting all development to result in a 10 per cent gain in biodiversity, it is expected that this v.3.0 of the Metric either is or represents closely what will be used as the new regime takes effect. With this tool expected to be important for other issues,...

The Government issued a revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) for England. This note records the revised text on the extent to which plans may be tailored to local circumstances, including how far Article 4 directions and planning conditions may be used to qualify or remove permitted development rights, notably those for conversion of buildings to residential use.

The Welsh Government launched the £10 million Tenancy Hardship Grant in their written statement of 15th July. The Tenancy Hardship Grant is now open to applications. Tenants who are not in receipt of housing related benefits, and who have fallen behind on their payments by eight weeks or more as a consequence of the pandemic, between 1 March 2020 and 30 June 2021, will be eligible to apply for a grant....

The RPA has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2020-2021 for the year ended 31st March 2021.

The Government issued a revised NPPF on 20th July 2021. This note records the substantially unchanged national level framework policies on rural housing.

This note sets out the detail of a written response by Robert Jenrick, Secretary of State at MHCLG, to the Commons and two recently published planning documents: a revised national Planning Policy Framework; the new National Model Design Code.

The Scottish Government announced that farming support payments exceeded target across all schemes in 2020. More than £530 million was paid out by 30 June 2021, with all schemes exceeding the regulatory target of 95.24% and outperforming 2019 levels. A total of 99.5% of Basic Payment Scheme, Greening and Young Farmer funds were paid by the end of June. The Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme, Upland Sheep Support Scheme and the Less Favoured Areas Support Scheme also delivered more than...

The Welsh Government has published a letter in response to the report on developing new policies for second homes.

Earlier this week, DEFRA announced that they had chosen 19 organisations to receive funding to provide support to farmers during the Agricultural Transition. The funding, which has been made available as part of the Future Farming Resilience Fund, will enable the chosen organisations to provide support and advice to farmers for free, so that they may: understand the changes that are happening as a result of the Agricultural Transition; identify how, what and when business models will need to...

This note sets out Henry Dimbleby's second more substantive part of his National Food Strategy report.

DEFRA, the Environment Agency and Natural England have announced that it has granted funding to 27 projects under its Natural Environment Investment Readiness Fund.

The DEFRA minister, Lord Goldsmith, answered a wide ranging debate on the provisions under the Environment Bill for biodiversity net gain, clarifying or explaining a number of points. See our website note for more details.

Natural England has now published the latest version of its calculator approach to accounting for and auditing biodiversity: The Biodiversity Metric 3.0. The Metric offers a habitat based approach to assess an area’s value to wildlife. See the website note for more details.

DEFRA has today given some indications about the operation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies (LNRSs) which are to be prepared under the Environment Bill. This note also contains an update on the LNRS pilots.

The Northern Ireland Rural Affairs Minister has launched a consultation on a proposed Rural Policy Framework for Northern Ireland. With the end of the EU-funded NI Rural Development Programme the Government in Northern Ireland is looking to take the opportunity to review rural policy and set the agenda for future schemes.

The Climate Change Bill has been introduced to the Northern Ireland Assembly, after receiving approval from the Executive in June. The Bill makes provision for the Northern Irish Executive to set out targets and measures for addressing climate change in Northern Ireland.

The Government has updated guidance for cattle keepers on the Bovine TB Testing Intervals 2021 in England, Wales and Scotland. Find the full guidance on the GOV.uk website.

The Government has published an A4 factsheet giving information for landlords on right to rent checks now the EU Settlement Scheme deadline (30 June 2021) has passed. See our website note of 14th June setting out the changes that came into force on 1st July 2021....

The Government has published the latest Environmental Land Management Tests and Trials reports for June 2021. The report along with the July and September 2020 reports can be found on the GOV.uk website.

DEFRA has published the latest statistical note on the UK's carbon emissions from 1997 to 2018. The overall trend is a reduction in emissions since 2004, with a slight uptick between 2017 and 2018. The note can be found here.

The Government has published guidance on how those who registered an interest in taking part can now apply for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot using the Rural Payments service. Further information has also been published on the standards available and payment rates. The collected guidance can be found here. See our website note of 16th June setting out the further detail published by DEFRA on the SFI Pilot....

Natural England has launched the first round of Peatland Restoration Discovery Grants, which form part of the Nature for Climate Peatland Grant Scheme. The Peatland Grant Scheme aims to direct over £50 million into peatland restoration: more detail on the scheme can be found in our website note of 30 April 2021....

DEFRA has confirmed to the CAAV that the two soils standards announced yesterday for SFI 2022, once finally settled for the intended November announcement, will be available to those in SFI Pilot agreements together with the new payment rates.

This note sets out the detail of the proposed Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2022 scheme, including the 4 standards to be available and indicative payment rates.

This note explores DEFRA's approach to setting payments for environment improvement schemes, following the recent publication of the Environmental Land Management Schemes: Payment Principles. DEFRA has accompanied that by giving indicative payment rates for the two soils standards just announced for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2022 scheme, saying that these are some 30 per cent higher than would be the case under the income foregone/cost incurred approach for a typical farmer...

HM Treasury has launched a Business Rates Revaluation Consultation as part of the Fundamental Review of Business Rates in England. Under the plans, revaluations of non-domestic properties would take place every three years instead of the current system of five. A paper on the Fundamental Review of Business Rates is expected later this Autumn.

Finance Minister Conor Murphy has extended emergency protection for tenants having difficulty paying rent on commercial leases as a result of the pandemic for a further three months, to 30th September 2021. Find more detail here.

The Welsh Government has announced that coronavirus (COVID-19) measures, moratorium against forfeiture for the non-payment of rent, to protect businesses from eviction will be extended until 30th September 2021. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

This note looks at the detail of two documents published by DEFRA today: the June 2021 update on the Agricultural Transition Plan, which includes detail on the proposed Sustainable Farming Incentive 2022; and the Payment Principles for the environmental land management schemes.

A note on DEFRA's publication today of a Rural Productivity Report, with figures for productivity and gross value added as benchmarks for the health of the rural economy.

This note provides a summary the Climate Change Committee's recent Climate Risk Independent Assessment, and discusses in detail some key identified risks.

This note contains an update on DEFRA's environment schemes offer following a speech given by George Eustice at the Groundswell regenerative farming event on 24 June 2021.

The EU has now reached a general agreement on proposals for its new CAP to operate from 2023 to 2027. This note offers a review of the headline points of the new CAP while we await publication of the documentation and the next steps in the process.

This note covers the Secretary of State and Natural England announcement of two extensions of existing AONBs and two new AONBs.

This note sets out the first details of DEFRA's Farming in Protected Landscapes Programme, which will will offer funding to farmers and land managers in Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONBs), National Parks and the Norfolk Broads. The programme is to work alongside – not in competition with – Defra’s existing and new schemes to add value where it is most needed. People with existing agri-environment agreements can apply but the same work cannot be funded twice....

The Government has updated the guidance for landlord, tenants and local authorities in the private and social rented sectors in the context of Coronavirus, following the extension of Step 3 of the coronavirus (COVID-19) roadmap on Monday 21 June.

The Government has published guidance on how to connect electric vehicle charging points to the network. Find the guidance on the GOV.uk website.

The UK Parliament has published a research briefing paper on what electric vehicles are and how successive governments have planned for infrastructure and provided vehicle grants and incentives to encourage and accommodate their growth. It also sets out how the electricity grid is preparing to accommodate any increased demand from EV charging and looks at comparative emissions from EVs and conventional vehicles. Find the paper on the UK Parliament website....

Minister Edwin Poots has launched the Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Department’s Business Plan 2021-2022. The plan will focus on ensuring a sustainable future for agriculture, championing environmental protection and supporting a prosperous rural life. Find the plan on the DAERA website.

The period for temporary arrangements for right to rent checks during COVID-19 has been further extended to 31 August 2021. Our Web note 14 May 2021 provides further information.

This note outlines the recent Government announcement regarding the extension of existing protection for business tenants in the Coronavirus Act 2020, as well as proposed additional measures to be introduced.

This note summarises the extension to measures for protection from eviction for residential tenancies in Wales.

Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots MLA has announced that DAERA officials will carry out a reduced number of cross-compliance inspections during the 2021 Basic Payment Scheme year. See the DAERA website for more detail.

Finance Minister, Conor Murphy has announced a revaluation of all 74,750 non-domestic properties. The process known as ‘Reval2023’, will result in a new non-domestic Valuation List being used to calculate business rate bills from April 2023. For more detail see the Depart of Finance for Northern Ireland's website.

The Welsh Government has published its response to the Climate Change Committee's 2020 Progress Report - Reducing Emissions in Wales. The response addresses each of the recommendations andstrategic priorities made by the CCC in their report. Find the response on the Welsh Government website.

This note sets out the principles of the UK-Australia Trade Agreement.

The note reviews the The Economics of Biodiversity, the Government's response to the Dasgupta Review.

An update on the progress of the Future Farming Resilience Fund has been published on the DEFRA blog. The interim phase of support for 2021/22 will be rolled out to farmers and land managers from August through to March 2022. A national scale-up will be launched in April 2022.

This note summarises the report issued by The Climate Change Committee CCC, advising the government on matters that it sees as needing to be tackled urgently for the UK to adapt successfully to the changing climate with more intense periods of heat, drought and flooding.

This note sets out the further detail published by DEFRA on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Pilot, ahead of applications being made later this month.

This note sets out proposed changes to ground rents of leasehold properties in the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rents) Bill.

This note sets out the Programme for the Welsh Government 2021-2026

The Government has extended the deadline for Call for Evidence on improving digital connectivity for "Very Hard to Reach Premises". The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 25 June 2021. See our website note of 14th April for the details on the Call for Evidence....

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs is consulting on the Northern Ireland Peatland Strategy 2021-2040. The consultation covers the: policy drivers for the development of the strategyecosystem services provided by semi-natural peatlandscurrent factors affecting semi-natural peatlandsobjectives and actions to ensure semi-natural peatlands are conserved and restored to functioning ecosystems. The consultation closes on 1st September 2021....

The Report of the Council and Financial Statements for the Year Ending 31st December 2020 are attached.

The higher rates of SDLT, which apply when a person owns more than one property, will increase from 1st July 2021 when the lower threshold for the 8% charge drops from £500,000 to £250,000. The rates change again with effect from 1st October 2021 when the lower threshold drops to £125,000. Full details can be found on the GOV.UK website.

DEFRA has published the first estimate of Total Income from Farming (TIFF) in the United Kingdom for 2020.

The Government has published its response to the consultation in May 2021, see website note of 3rd February, setting out the next phase of strategy to combat bovine tuberculosis in England by 2038. The strategy includes:Work on badger vaccination, increased cattle testing and development of cattle vaccine to be acceleratedLicensing of new intensive culls set to end after 2022 following a significant reduction in the diseaseNew schemes launched to roll out badger vaccination across the country....

The Government has published guidance on the new Rental Mediation Service for landlords and tenants undergoing possession proceedings in England.

DEFRA has announced that from 31st May, any release of common pheasants or red-legged partridges into the wild on European sites in England or within 500 metres of their boundary will only be lawful under the authority of a licence issued under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. Find more detail on the Interim General Licensing Regime on the GOV.uk website.

The Northern Ireland Environment Agency has published guidance notes on the Water Quality Improvement Strand 2021-22 of the Environment Fund Challenge Fund Competition. Application forms must be completed and received by noon on 28th June 2021. Find the guidance on the DAERA website.

Notice is attached of the 77th AGM of the CAAV, to be held at 3.30pm on Wednesday 23rd June 2021.

DAERA has announced that a further £12.4 million of funding has been secured to support agriculture, waste water screening for Covid virus, green recovery and rural community schemes. Details are available on the DAERA website.

This note sets out the launch of the new Tree Health Pilot Scheme announced today (28th May 2021), details of the scheme are to follow in the summer.

The period for claims for Round 3 of the Countryside Productivity Small Grant scheme (CPSG) closes at midnight on 31st May 2021. The RPA is unable to extend the deadline for the receipt of the claim form and evidence of payment for items beyond then but may be able to offer some flexibility in individual cases. The RPA is aware that, with delays in the supply chains, a number of claimants are still waiting for the delivery of equipment before submitting their grant applications. It asks that...

The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman has strongly criticised HS2 for its treatment of a homeowner during the acquisition of their home and smallholding, saying that it mislead the claimant and failed to follow its own processes. It said that HS2 was "dishonest, misleading and inconsistent, and failed to follow its own processes when negotiating compensation claims" and that its actions had caused the claimant "severe stress and worry". The PHSO report can be found on its website....

HS2 has published guidance on the claim items will will normally accept (and some items it will not normally accept) as part of a Statutory Blight or Express Purchase case. The guidance can be found on the GOV.UK website.

This note sets out the case of Matthew & Ors v Sedman & Ors [2021] UKSC 19 (21st May 2021) concerning the calculation of the 6-year period of the Limitation Act.

This note sets out the The Agricultural Holdings (Requests for Landlord’s Consent or Variation of Terms and the Suitability Test) (England) Regulations 2021 SI 619 that have now been laid before Parliament, to take forward the outstanding tenancy law changes under the Agriculture Act 2020.

Farming connect has published an article on using a natural capital approach to value land management approaches.

This note sets out the UK Government's Plan for Wales 2021.

This note sets out the new Scottish Government and the future direction for Scottish Agricultural Policy following the election on 6th May.

The Government has announced that the new England Woodland Creation Offer will be open for applications in late Spring. The offer will cover capital costs with additional contributions available for Nature Recover, Riparian Buffers, Access, Close to Settlements, Water Quality and Reduced Flood Risk. For more detail see the GOV.uk website.

‘Sustainability for the Future - DAERA’s Plan to 2050’, sets out DAERA's strategic priorities, including environmental protection and enhancement, support for rural communities, encouraging growth and diversity in the agri-food sector and improving people's health.