What's New

The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on proposals to tighten the rules for the storage of silage, slurry and anaerobic digestate. The closing date for responses is 13th April 2020 and the consultation documents can be found on the Scottish Government website.

The Welsh Government has published the Cross Compliance Verifiable Standards 2021. The Verifiable Standards set out in detail the obligations of a farmer who receives payments under Cross Compliance and the Basic Payment Schemes. The standards may be used when classifying breaches of Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) and Statutory Management Requirements (SMR) 2021.

The House of Commons Library has published Land Law: Frequently Asked Questions.

The Government has published its response to the consultation on a Future Homes Standard and a further consultation on the Future Buildings Standard for new buildings in England.

Scottish Forestry has published a report which quantifies the natural capital benefits of new woodland planting in Scotland, including carbon capture and flood mitigation. A press release can be found here and the report can be downloaded from the Scottish Forestry website....

The Scottish Government has published a draft Revised Code of Conduct for Property Factors, which applies to those involved in the management of common parts of residential property owned by two or more people. It is intended to take effect from 16th August 2021.

This note summarises the proposals from the Welsh Government on Heritage Partnership Agreements. Consultation responses must be submitted by 12th April 2021.

The RICS is consulting on proposed PII Minimum Policy Wording. The consultation period is 14th - 29th January 2021 and responses can be made via the RICS Consultation Hub.

The Court of Appeal for England and Wales has rejected an appeal by a surveyor in a professional negligence claim.

The High Court has today,18 Jan, ruled that Natural Resources Wales’ (NRW) General Licences to control wild birds are lawful following a legal challenge by campaigning body Wild Justice. Find the Natural Resource Wales article on the decision here. The 2021 General Licences are on Natural Resources Wales website. Anyone who intends to use lethal methods to control birds not covered by a general licence will still need to apply for a specific licence....

This note sets out the key proposals in a consultation on a right of first refusal for people and communities to buy unused or under-used publicly owned land in England.

Farming Connect has published a useful article on Air Pollution: Reducing emissions from agriculture by adapting fertiliser storage and land application techniques. It covers how improving approaches for manure storage and spreading as well as fertiliser management can have a significant effect on overall ammonia emission rates....

The Law Commission is consulting on proposals for devolved Tribunals in Wales, including a new, single, unified First Tier Tribunal with chambers. The closing date for responses is 19th March 2021 and the consultation documents can be found on the Law Commission website.

The Countryside Stewardship (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/42) has today, 15th January 2021, been laid before Parliament and will come into force on 8th February 2021, applying to England only. The amendment includes: In Part 2 of the Schedule, under the heading 8. Uplands - the addition of:(g) Management of wood pasture and parkland(h) Restoration of wood pasture and parkland(i) creation of wood pasture in Part 3 of the Schedule, under the heading 4. Fencing and gates - the...

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

The Supreme Court has substantially upheld the FCA's appeal in a test case on the application of business interruption insurance clauses for Covid-19 restrictions.

The Welsh Government has published the summary of responses to the consultation on empty property rates relief, draft Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. Minister of Finance, Rebecca Evans MP, produced a written statement to state that from the responses to the consultation there were no issues raised concerning the technical aspects of the draft Non-Domestic Rating (Unoccupied Property) (Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2020. Views were expressed...

The Government has published its response to the consultation on the closure of the Non-domestic RHI scheme, confirming that it will close on 31st March 2021. The Domestic RHI will remain open for a further 12 months.

The January 2021 edition of the Gwlad Newsletter is now available to download.

The UK Parliament, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology has published a note on woodland creation. The POSTnote summarises: the key factors influencing how much carbon is taken up by woodland;the different objectives of woodland creation;the constraints to increasing UK tree cover; anddifferent finance options. The full report can be found on the UK Parliament POST website....

MFL's Winter 2020/21 Bulletin discusses the appropriate level of Professional Indemnity Cover for an agricultural valuer's practice.

The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland is encouraging people to check whether they will benefit from broadband improvement through Project Stratum, a £165 million scheme to extend Next Generation Access across the province. More detail is available on the DoE website....

The Welsh Government has today, 13th January 2021, launched a consultation on reducing emissions from domestic burning of solid fuels alongside a White Paper on a Clean Air (Wales) Bill. The proposals seek to regulate domestic burning as part of the Clean Air Plan for Wales: Health Air, Healthy Wales. The proposed actions will reduce air pollution and support improvements in public health and the natural environment. Consultation responses must be submitted by 7th April 2021....

The Scottish Government has outlined further restrictions on retail activity in Scotland during the current Covid-19 lockdown.

The Financial Conduct Authority proposes to update its guidance on mortgage repossessions during the coronavirus pandemic to extend the period during which enforcement proceedings should NOT be issued to 1st April 2021. The proposal is open for consultation until 18th January and details can be found on the FCA website.

The Welsh Government has today, 13th January 2021, published a White Paper on a Clean Air (Wales) Bill, accompanied by a press release. Consultation responses must be submitted by 7th April 2021.

This note clarifies the requirements for phyto-sanitary certificates for the export of used agricultural machinery.

The Welsh Government is consulting on the Building Safety White Paper. The proposals address building safety issues for all multi-occupied residential buildings, this includes a building converted into two or more flats. The press release outlines the proposals in the White Paper. Find the consultation on the Welsh Government website. Comments must be submitted by 12th April 2021....

Natural England has provided an operation update in light of government guidance. The updated guidance on advice to farmers and land managers is as follows: Natural will continue to provide technical advice to support farmers, land managers and rural businesses through a range of processes including remote sensing, digital solutions and virtual meetings, to support Countryside Stewardship agreements. Where Natural England advisers have worked with the farmer before they may be able to give...

The RPA has reported that in December they paid just under 98% of Basic Payment Scheme claims. Payments were made to around 82,500 eligible claimants and were worth more than £1.77 billion it total. See the GOV.uk website for more detail.

This report from November 2020 sets out the findings of a short survey of CAAV members engaged in advising clients on the Electronic Communications Code.

The Government had updated its guidance on Understanding the Possession Action Process for landlords and tenants of residential property in England and Wales.

The Welsh Government has published Glastir Small Grants (carbon) guidance describing minimum standards required to receive funding for each type of work. In addition to the guidance, the Welsh Government has published maps showing likelihood of selection and payment rates for 2021 showing the amount of money the scheme will pay for each type of work....

A reminder that the temporary increase to the nil rate band of Land Transaction Tax for residential property transactions will end on 31st March 2021, reverting to the original rates and starting threshold of £180,000 on 1st April 2021. For more detail see the Welsh Government website.

The House of Commons library has published a report setting out the actions that have been taken to protect residential tenants and landlords during the coronavirus pandemic to date (January 2021). It may prove useful for those who need to refer back to the position at different times during the pandemic.

Second case of H5N8 avian influenza confirmed in Northern Ireland

The Tenant Farming Commissioner has published advice on completing amnesty agreements to avoid the need to have the matter considered by the Land Court. The advice can be found on the TFC website.

This note summarises the new rules affecting the movement of used agricultural machinery to the EU and Northern Ireland.

The Government has updated its Covid-19 Guidance on renting for landlords and tenants to cover the lockdown rules applying from 6th January 2021 in England.

The ban on evictions from residential property in England has been extended to 21st February 2021 by the Public Health (Coronavirus) (Protection from Eviction) (England) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/15). Exceptions are made for cases where the possession order was made partly or wholly on the grounds of rent arrears of more than 6 months (previously the threshold was 9 months) where the possession order was made partly or wholly on the grounds of anti-social behaviour, nuisance, false...

The Northern Ireland Department for Communities is conducting a review of the transfer of responsibility for the regulation of Houses of Multiple Occupation to councils and is inviting those involved in the management of HMOs to complete a short questionnaire on the licensing scheme. The closing date for responses is 5th February 2021 and the questionnaire can be found on the Department for Communities consultation website....

DEFRA has published Farm Business Income statistics for England for 2019/20. A summary of the findings can be found here and more detailed statistical data sets can be found here....

The rules for the latest Covid restrictions in Northern Ireland have been published on the NI Direct website. They confirm that house moves may continue and that estate agents may remain open. Livestock markets may also continue to operate, subject to the relevant rules (see the DAERA website). The information covers the rules which now apply for retail premises, workplaces, outdoor recreation and hospitality and accommodation. The Regulations which set out the detailed rules may be found on...

The ban on evictions from let residential premises in Wales is extended until 31st March 2021 by The Public Health (Protection from Eviction) (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021(WSI 2021/12 (W.5)).

The Welsh Government has announced that more than 500 applications have been received for the Valleys Taskforce Empty Homes Grant Scheme. The scheme is open to home owners across the extended Valleys Taskforce which runs from Carmartenshire in west Wales to Torfaen in east Wales. Phase Two of the scheme was launched in July 2020. The aim of the scheme is to incentivise applicants to use more energy efficient measures within their renovations in order to help reduce carbon emissions whilst...

DEFRA has updated its guidance to farmers, landowners and rural businesses following the announcement of the national lockdown from 5th January 2021. Guidance is provided on: farm visits and inspectionshow to submit your applications, claims, evidence and other supporting documents by email or postthe use of RLE1 forms. A one year extension is offered to all customers with capital agreements that started after 1st April 2018 or 2019 for: Hedgerows and Boundaries grantWoodland creation,...

DAERA has confirmed a case of highly pathogenic H5N8 avian influenza in a poultry flock on commercial premises in Clough and is investigating a suspected second case at Lisburn.

The Welsh Government has published guidance on Approved Finishing Units and TB dedicated sales (orange markets).

The Stamp Duty Land Tax (Administration) (Amendment) Regulations 2021 (SI 2021/13) take effect from 1st April 2021 and introduce a new version of the Land Transaction Return Form SDLT 1 which is to be used after that date.

The Scottish Government has announced that the ban on evictions from residential property which was due to end on 22nd January will be extended to 31st March.

The Government guidance on moving home in England during the coronavirus pandemic has been updated for the January 2021 lockdown restrictions. House moves - both buying and renting - are still permitted but agents are expected to do as much as possible online.

The Scottish Government's Rural Payments and Services has confirmed that there are no changes to GAECs or SMRs for 2021.

This note reports the launch of DEFRA's consultation on gene editing techniques.

This note sets out the latest Covid-19 lockdown restrictions in England.

Natural England will be offering online events, one-to-one clinics and application advice for those applying for Countryside Stewardship Mid-Tier agreements starting in January 2022. Information on the support available will be published from mid-February at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/mid-tier-farm-advice-framework-faf-events.

This note explains that Great Britain has been approved by the EU for food imports.

The Chancellor has announced further financial support for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses following the announcement of a further lockdown from 6th January 2021. Grants of £4,000 will be available for business premises with a rateable value of up to £15,000; grants of £6,000 are available for premises with a rateable value of between £15,000 and £51,000; and £9,000 will be available for premises with a rateable value exceeding £51,000. The grants will be distributed by local...

If you have not already completed a return for the 2020 CAAV Agricultural Land Occupation Survey for England and Wales please do so as soon as possible. The deadline for submissions has been extended to FRIDAY 15th JANUARY and the return forms and notes can be found here....

DAERA has published guidance on the procedures that livestock markets must follow from Monday 4th January 2021 in order to operate within the current Covid-19 restrictions.

DAERA has published the Cross Compliance rules for 2021 which can be found on the DAERA website.

The Scottish Agricultural Wage Board has proposed that wages for all agricultural workers, irrespective of age or experience, be set at a level equivalent to the National Living Wage (currently £8.91/hour). An additional £1.32/hour would be paid for workers who have "appropriate qualifications" - although what these are is not specified. The proposals are out for consultation until 27th January 2021 and further details can be found on the Scottish Government website....

The Direct Payments to Farmers (Miscellaneous Amendments) (Scotland) Regulations 2020(SSI 2020/460) came into force on 1st January 2021. They are part of the legal framework to allow the continuation of direct payment schemes in Scotland post Brexit.

DEFRA has updated its guidance for farming businesses on trading with the EU now that the transition period of Brexit has ended. Much other guidance has also been updated or newly published, including: Importing and exporting plants and plant products Importing or moving live animals, animal products and high risk food and feed not of animal origin UK timber regulation: imports and exports of timber and timber products...

The December 2020 edition of the Farming Advice Service Newsletter can be found on the FAS website.

DEFRA has confirmed that applications for a 2021 grassland derogation for NVZs may be made up to 31st January 2021, despite the fact that the statutory deadline was 31st December (as in previous years). Further information can be found in the Farming Advice Service newsletter for December 2020.

This note reviews the decision of the Supreme Court in Alexander Devine Children's Cancer Trust v Housing Solutions Ltd, concerning a restrictive covenant preventing development.

DEFRA has published the final UK results from the June 2020 Surveys of Agriculture and Horticulture on GOV.UK. It includes final crop areas, yields, livestock populations and agricultural workforce at 1st June 2020.

The Government has announced that the LIFE in Ravines project has been launched with £5 million in funding. The project, led by Natural England, will restore the ravine woodlands in the Peak District National Park and tackle ash dieback in the ravines. See the GOV.UK website for more detail.

The Welsh Government has published its "Winter Update 2020" which gives information on key farming issues in Wales. It can be viewed on the Welsh Government website.

The Welsh Government has announced its Draft Budget, including changes to Land Transaction Tax rates: The higher residential rates for LTT will increase by 1% from 22nd December.The zero-rate band for non-residential property will increase to £225,000The temporary increase to the nil rate band for residential property will end as planned on 31st March 2021. Further details can be found on the Welsh Government website....

The government has updated its advice on moving house in England during the coronavirus restrictions, confirming that the housing market remains open in all four English Tiers.

This note summarises the new Tier 4 coronavirus restrictions for England.

Northern Ireland has extended the ban on evictions from commercial property to 31st March 2021, following other parts of the UK. The Business Tenancies (Coronavirus) (Restriction on Forfeiture: Relevant Period) (Northern Ireland) (No.3) Regulations 2020 (NISR 2020/332) bring the measure into force.

This note summarises the Court of Appeal decision in a case concerning the definition of "Planning Permission" in relation to an option agreement.

This note captures key points for estate agents and letting agents from the 2020 UK National Risk Assessment for Money Laundering.

This note summarises the new permitted development rights for agriculture and forestry in Scotland.

DAERA is seeking views on the proposal to introduce a Protein Crops Payment Pilot Scheme in 2021. The consultation can be found on the DAERA website. The closing date for responses is 15th January 2021.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs has announced that there will be new housing measures introduced from 23rd December as part of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone in Northern Ireland. From 23rd December, all bird keepers in Northern Ireland will be legally required to keep their birds indoors and follow strict biosecurity measures. See the DAERA website for more detail....

The Scottish Government has announced that a flock of birds has tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza on the Island of Sanday in Orkney. A 10km temporary control zone has been set up around the infected premises to limit the risk of disease. Producers and bird keepers are reminded to comply with the order that came into effect on the 14th December, to house birds or ensure they are kept separate from wild birds and follow biosecurity procedures. For more...

The Welsh Government has published the rules for Cross Compliance in Wales for 2021. The majority of rules remain the same as in 2020. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

The Welsh Government has announced a further £110 million in funding for businesses affected by the new alert four level restrictions which will come into effect on Christmas Eve. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

The Farming Advice Service December Newsletter can be found on the FAS website.

DEFRA has published its Annual Report and Accounts 2019 to 2020 on GOV.UK.

The Government has published the Guide to Cross Compliance in England 2021. There are no changes to the rules but there are some changes to the way cross compliance is run. These changes are: a simplified cross compliance guideimprovements to what you'll experience if you're inspectedthe level of a penalty will be more appropriate to how sever a non-compliance ismore use of Early Warning System letters instead of always applying a penalty. More detail is available on the GOV.UK website....

The Government has announced that the deadline to apply for the Bounce Back Loan Scheme has been extended to 31st March 2021. If you have a Bounce Back Loan but borrowed less than you were entitled to, you can top up your existing loan to the maximum amount. The top up must be requested by 31st January 2021. See the GOV.UK website for more details.

The National Infrastructure Commission has published its Rail Needs Assessment for the Midlands and the North, which recommends that the Government should focus on a package of improvements to and investment in regional links to connect the cities and major towns of the Midlands and the North, seeing this as offering the best returns to the economy. That could imply that the eastern leg of HS2 Phase 2B (from Birmingham to Leeds) is seen as a lower priority. The western leg of Phase 2B, from...

DAERA has announced that it has made full BPS payments to more than 99% of farmers in Northern Ireland, worth £292.7 million.

HS2 has published a Green Corridor Prospectus, setting out its plans to deliver a corridor of enhanced environmental features along the route. It is interested in opportunities for farmers and landowners to connect their own environmental land management plans into this network, thus creating wider benefits at a landscape scale. The CAAV is represented on the stakeholder group which will consider this concept in more detail....

The Welsh Government has published updated guidance on the transfer of entitlements under BPS. See the Welsh Government website.

The Climate Change Committee has today (17th December 2020) published: a Progress Report on the progress made in reducing emissions in Wales since the Environment (Wales) Act in 2016the path to a Net Zero Wales, setting out the recommendations on the actions needed in Wales to reach net zero emissions by 2050. The reports can be found on the Climate Change Committee website. The Welsh Government have published an article welcoming the Climate Change Committee's reports - see the Welsh...

The Scottish Government has published a Scottish Biodiversity Strategy Post-2020 Statement of Intent which sets out its intention to protect at least 30% of the area of Scotland's land for nature by 2030. The amount currently protected is estimated to be 22.7%....

Farming Connect have published a useful technical article on Air Pollution: The role of agriculture in Wales covering the current levels and sources of air pollution. In addition Farming Connect have published an article on Air Pollution: Reducing ammonia emissions by adapting livestock management approaches....

The Chancellor has announced that the business loan and furlough schemes will be extended to the end of April 2021. Further details are available on the GOV.UK website.

This note reviews recent case law in England on the service of notices after the death of a tenant.

DAERA has launched the Small Woodlands Grant Scheme for new native woodlands on areas of 0.2ha or above. The closing date for applications for the 2021/22 planting season is 28th February 2021 and further information is available on the DAERA website.

The Agriculture (Wales) White Paper consultation document has been published on the Welsh Government website, alongside a Statement from the Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs. The consultation on the White Paper closes on 26th March 2021. A CAAV Briefing Note on the White Paper was published earlier today....

Round 3 of the Countryside Productivity Small Grant (CPSG) scheme claim deadline has been extended by two months. Applicants now have until midnight on the 31st May 2021 to buy and install their items and submit their claim for payment. For more information see the GOV.UK website....

The Scottish Tenant Farming Commissioner has issued an invitation to valuers to join a panel of independent valuers who can be appointed to act in cases of relinquishment and assignation, if the tenant does not propose a preferred valuer. The application period closes on 29th January 2021 and further information is available on the Tenant Farming Commissioner's website....

This note summarises the decision of the Upper Tribunal in ON Tower Ltd v Green (Dale Park), concerning the terms to be imposed for the renewal of an agreement for a rural telecoms mast site.

This note summarises the key provisions of the Agriculture (Wales) White Paper, published today.

The Welsh Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths, has issued a Written Statement on Energy in response to the UK Government's Energy White Paper.

The Welsh Government has announced that the non-domestic rate multiplier for 2021-22 has been frozen- see the Welsh Government website.

The Welsh Government has agreed new measures to suspend evictions from social and private rented accommodation between 11th December and 11th January as part of its response to tackling the spread of Covid-19. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

An outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been confirmed at premises near Willington, South Derbyshire. A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been established around the site. More detail is available on the GOV.UK website.

This note outlines some of the steps that valuers can take to help a claimant prepare for the process of compulsory acquisition of land.

A regional water rights trading pilot scheme has been launched in East Anglia.

This note summarises the Upper Tribunal decision in a case concerning the lifting of a restrictive covenant from land which had been sold away from a farm.

The Rural Payments service will be unavailable this Tuesday (22nd December) from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Please see the Welsh Government website for the latest planned system downtime.

This note sets out the key provisions of the Agricultural Holdings (Relinquishment and Assignation) (Scotland) Regulations 2020.

A conference in Northern Ireland has explored the potential for deep geothermal energy to offer opportunities for the province to de-carbonise heating and reduce emissions from buildings.

The Agricultural Holdings (Relinquishment and Assignation) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/430) will come into force on 28th February 2021. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Commencement No.12) Regulations 2020 (SSI 2020/428(C.40)) bring into effect related parts of the 2016 Act. The Agricultural Holdings (Relinquishment and Assignation) (Application to Relevant Partnerships) (Scotland) Regulations 2020 have been published in draft and are expected to come into force on 28th February...

DEFRA has published the Total Income From Farming (TIFF) in the UK forecast for 2020.

DAERA's third and final online EU Exit Awareness Event takes place on 15th December. The event will focus on imports and exports to GB, EU and the Rest of the World post transition. See the DAERA Website for more detail and to register for the online event.

The Welsh Government Minister, Rebecca Evans, has announced that the claim for flood repair funding worth £31 million has been approved by the UK Government. The funds will support essential flood repair work in Wales. See the Welsh Government website for more detail.

This note explains the operational arrangements of the Northern Ireland Protocol, further to the agreement announced on 8th December and our initial website note of 8th December on the Northern Ireland Protocol - Agreement of Operation.

The UK Government has announced £400 million of new funding to support Northern Irish businesses beyond the Transition Period, including funds to support the flow of goods and services and to help small traders to coordinate trade between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

DAERA has published a consultation on the provisions of the Environment Bill which will apply in Northern Ireland and whether they offer the best framework for environmental governance in future. The full discussion document is available on the DAERA website and the closing date for responses is 5th February 2021.

The Scottish Land Commission has established an Expert Advisory Group on Tax on Land and Property to advise it on ways in which changes to land and property taxation could be used to develop "a robust, resilient wellbeing economy". Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser to the CAAV, is a member of the Group, which met today (10th December 2020) to consider a report on land and property taxation commissioned by the SLC....

The National Infrastructure Commission for Wales has called for more innovative approaches to digital connectivity in Wales, including more investment in mobile broadband rather than relying on fixed line fibre connections. Its report, Digital Communications Infrastructure in Wales, has been published on the Welsh Government website.

On 9th December, Lesley Griffiths, Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs published a Written Statement on BPS 2020 Payments. It is stated that over 94.6% of Welsh farm businesses will have received either their full BPS payment or a BPS Support payment, with over £219.3 million being paid to more than 14,900 claimants.

A new edition of the How To Rent guidance has been published and letting agents are reminded that to check that they are serving the new edition on tenants at the start of a residential tenancy.

The Welsh Government has made new Regulations which extend the end date for the protection of business tenants from eviction to 31st March 2020. The Business Tenancies (Extension of Protection from Forfeiture etc) (Wales) (Coronavirus) (No.3) Regulations 2020(WSI 2020/1456 (W.314)) come into force on 31st December 2020.

Dame Glenys Stacey, who chaired a review of farm regulation in 2018, has been selected as the Government's preferred candidate for the Chair of the Office for Environmental Protection....

The RPA has published guidance on agroforestry and the Basic Payment Scheme, to clarify which agroforestry options are eligible for BPS.

The Government has confirmed that the ban on business evictions is to be extended to March 2021, but reiterated earlier statements that tenants who could afford to pay some or all of their rent should do so. MHCLG also announced that there would be a review of the "outdated" business tenancy legislation in 2021. Further information can be found on the GOV.UK website.

This note explains what is currently known of the agreement announced today (8th December) on the operation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

DAERA has launched a discussion document on a proposed Northern Ireland Climate Change Bill which would set a legal and policy framework for tackling climate change in Northern Ireland. The closing date for responses is 1st February 2021 and the consultation documents can be found on the DAERA website.

The Good Soil Guide is a free online resource developed in partnership with Yorkshire Water. It includes information on soil systems, cover cropping, farming carbon, adaptive agronomy, ecosystem services and sustainable landscapes. It is free to use but you are required to create an account in order to access the information. Go to https://soilguide.co.uk/

In May 2020 the Upper Tribunal upheld Northumberland County Council's decision to issue a negative Certificate of Appropriate Alternative Development on land owned by Leech Homes (see CAAV website note of 12th May 2020). The Tribunal has now given its decision on costs, finding that the Council is entitled to recover its costs of the appeal from the appellant - it was not previously clear from the legislation whether this was possible. The Upper Tribunal's decision can be found on the BAILII...

The Scottish Government has launched a Tenant Hardship Loan Fund to assist private and social sector tenants who are struggling to pay their rent during the coronavirus pandemic and who do not have access to other sources of support. Details are available on the Scottish Government website and the eligibility criteria for the loans is attached.

The Valuation (Postponement of Revaluation) (Coronavirus) (Scotland) Order 2020 (SSI 2020/418) came into effect on 5th December 2020. It postpones the next non-domestic rates revaluation to 2023-24 and changes the tone date to 1st April one year before the start of the revaluation year, instead of two.

Forestry Minister Lord Goldsmith has announced that there will be a new £12.1million fund to plant over 500 hectares of trees in England's ten Community Forests. The new programme - Trees for Climate - will see trees planted over the next five months, playing an important role in the government's net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For more detail see the Gov.uk website.

DEFRA has established a Lowland Agricultural Peat Taskforce to help improve the condition of farmed lowland peat. It will have four regional sub-groups in the north-east, north-west, south-west and east of England.

The Northern Ireland Department for the Economy has announced new funds to support people who are newly self-employed and who did not qualify for earlier schemes. A one-off grant of £3,500 will be available to those who established themselves as self-employed between 6th April 2019 and 5th April 2020.

The Scottish Government has announced a ban on evictions from residential property for the period between 11th December and 22nd January 2021, except in cases of serious anti-social behaviour.

The Government has announced that £2.5 million is to be made available for 5 pilot schemes to support the planting of trees in towns, cities and rural areas outside of conventional woodlands. A further £1.4 million is allocated to the Environment Agency to plant trees to help reduce flood risk along 160kms of rivers, including sites in the Cotswolds, Devon, Shropshire and Yorkshire. Further information is available on the GOV.UK website....

Further outbreaks of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza have been identified on turkey rearing units in Norfolk. Protection and Surveillance Zones have been established around the sites. More detail is available on the GOV.UK website.

The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in the new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK. The Scottish Government have announced new housing measures, which will come into force on 14th December 2020. It will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of...

The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in the new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK. The Government have announced new housing measures in England, which will come into force on 14th December 2020. It will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread...

The Chief Veterinary Officers for England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to bring in the new measures to help protect poultry and captive birds, following a number of cases of avian influenza in both wild and captive birds in the UK. The Welsh Government have announced new housing measures, which will come into force on 14th December 2020. It will be a legal requirement for all bird keepers to keep their birds indoors and to follow strict biosecurity measures in order to limit the spread of...

DEFRA is consulting on the Draft National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides. The NAP will be delivered in support of Governments targets across the UK on biodiversity and carbon net zero. Responses must be submitted by 23:59 on 29th February 2021. Details can be found on the Gov.uk website.

It has been reported today that the EU has agreed to recognise the UK's organic certification standards, see our note for more detail.

This note summarises the Prime Minister's announcement today on more demanding targets for the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions target by 2030, as a a stage on the road to reaching net zero by 2050.

HS2 proposes to hold an Agents' Workshop webinar for those involved in Phase 2A (West Midlands to Crewe) on 14th January 2021. Please contact Kate Russell at kate@caav.org.uk if you are involved in advising clients affected by the scheme and would like to attend.

DEFRA has published a consultation on proposals for England and Wales to end the live export of animals for slaughter and make other improvements to the welfare of animals during transport. The closing date for responses is 28th January 2021 and the consultation documents can be found on DEFRA's consultation webpage.

This note summarises a case in which the consequential losses from slurry being accidently discharged into a watercourse are greater than the fine.