In this week’s edition:
- NFU delight as UK secures vital extension on sheep EID
- NFU responds to Government statement on illegal eggs
- Metal Theft E-Petitions
- SAWS extension gives boost to seasonal labour supply
- SPS payment window open for business
- Kendall takes supermarket battle to Brussels
- Government Water White Paper – NFU responds
- EU misses golden opportunity on dairy contracts, says NFU
- Keeping your herd free from TB: Farmer meetings in Lancs & Cumbria
- North West representatives needed up tenancy & upland policy forums
- Lower Alt with Crossens Pumped Drainage Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan
- WHAT’S ON?
NFU delight as UK secures vital extension on sheep EID
A key vote in Brussels on sheep EID that has delayed a requirement for individual movement recording of the ‘historic flock’ for three years has been described by the NFU as a “victory for common-sense”. The ruling means farmers will not have to report the individual movements of sheep born before December 31 2009 until 2015. The European Commission’s Standing Committee on Food Chain and Animal Health voted to accept the proposal put forward by Defra. It’s understood the result will save the livestock industry between £4 and £11.5 million – the estimated cost to record and report all individual movements depending on the approach. Alistair Mackintosh, a Cumbrian farmer who is the NFU livestock board chairman, said: “This has been a burning issue for the UK’s sheep farmers so we are delighted to secure this extension. It will save a huge amount of money, time and unnecessary bureaucracy and also give farmers some breathing space to comply. The NFU has lobbied hard on this issue in Brussels and in Westminster and I welcome the support of Jim Paice and the Defra team in securing this valuable concession. However, we are very aware that there are still a number of issues for many farmers surrounding EID and the potential to fall foul of cross-compliance. That’s why we will continue to work with Defra and in Brussels to persuade Commission officials to keep this under full review and to adopt a more common-sense approach around tolerances for movement recording.”
NFU responds to Government statement on illegal eggs
The NFU has expressed its disappointment that the Government has not been able to adopt stronger measures to protect egg producers from illegal eggs potentially entering the UK from next year. British egg producers have invested £400million converting to enriched cages to comply with new European legislation coming into force on January 1 although some member states have admitted they will not be ready in time. Farming minister, Jim Paice, announced today that the food industry in this country will have to reach a voluntary consensus that it won’t use eggs produced by hens in conventional cages although manufacturers will still be allowed to use the same eggs for its products. NFU poultry board chairman Charles Bourns said: “We welcome the enforcement measures being taken by the Government but our members will certainly be bitterly disappointed that it has not been possible to take tougher action. We are concerned that although the Government has repeatedly pledged its support for the industry, it cannot prohibit the use of illegal egg products and food manufactured from such products. Although we are pleased to see the support of some UK retailers and food manufacturers on this, there are still a number of companies who have yet to make this commitment. Further to this, we would like to see retailers and food manufacturers showing their support for the whole of the British egg industry by offering a fair price for all legal eggs and egg products to recognise the investment that has been made in all production systems in readiness for January 1. The UK egg industry should not be disadvantaged for embracing new higher welfare systems and the Government’s announcement today is not what UK egg producers needed after they have invested so heavily and met the requirements of the law.” The European Commission has been told that 13 member states will not be compliant in 2012.
Metal Theft E-Petitions
We would like to make members aware of several metal-related e-petitions. The following two have attracted the most signatures and are therefore probably the most likely to hit the 100,000 mark and trigger a parlimentary debate. Please take time to go their respective websites and add your name to the petition.
- Cashless Scrap Metal Trade - Amendment to Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964: “Due to a significant rise in value, metal has become a much sought after commodity. This increased demand has resulted in a sharp rise in metal theft nationally. Metal fencing, gates, manhole covers and other metallic items are stolen on a regular basis. Property is raided for lead, copper and cabling. War memorials and statues have been taken. Overhead power lines are stolen at serious risk to personal safety with huge costs for replacement and major inconvenience to the public. Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash in hand industry. This creates difficulties as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition. An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.” Visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406
- Support the Metal Theft Prevention Private Member's Bill: “To stop metal theft means stopping the means for selling it on. We need urgent reform to the outdated Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964. This crime is costing lives and livelihoods, it is only a matter of time before an innocent life is lost as the result of the mindless actions of criminals. The significant impact of metal theft is damaging national infrastructure such as energy, telecommunications and transport networks. It is destroying our heritage and communities through attacks on churches, public art and even war memorials. There is a Bill before Parliament to amend the law introduced by Graham Jones MP. The Government must support this Bill. It will provide for a robust licensing regime with requirements on dealers to establish the origin of materials, greater police and Magistrate powers to close and prevent the re-opening of scrap metal dealers who do not conform to licence conditions and a cashless system for payments with requirement for proof of identity of seller and receiver”. Go online and visit http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/21165
We also encourage to you to send us examples of metal theft causing knock-on effects to farmers (e.g. phone/broadband services lost) so that we can encourage Graham Jones and/or other MPs to highlight them during the Second Reading debate next month. Send your examples to david.collier@nfu.org.uk
SAWS extension gives boost to seasonal labour supply
Just weeks after the NFU highlighted the crucial importance of securing an extension to the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Scheme (SAWS) until 2013, the minister for immigration, Damian Green, has confirmed that the current arrangements will continue for a further two years. Following the recommendations of the Migration Advisory Committee, the minister announced that the restrictions currently applied to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals working in the United Kingdom, which have been in force since 1 January 2007, will continue until the end of 2013. The annual SAWS quota will continue at 21,250 places for 2012 and 2013. Under European law, the current restrictions cannot continue beyond the end of 2013 and will therefore be lifted at that point. NFU Chief Horticulture Advisor Hayley Campbell-Gibbons said: “Securing an extension to the SAWS scheme was a top priority for the horticulture sector, so this announcement is extremely positive news for growers and their customers. The focus now is on gaining commitment for a successor to the current SAWS scheme to ensure the continued availability of seasonal migrant labour when these arrangements come to an end after 2013. This work is already underway with the recent launch of NFU proposals for a new scheme that would retain the essential supply of migrant labour and also provide training initiatives and welfare benefit adjustments to encourage more UK citizens to take up a job in the horticulture sector.”
SPS payment window open for business
The SPS payment window for 2011 is now open. We have heard of some farmers in the North West who have already received their payment. Remember you are able to track your claim and view entitlements statements by visiting the RPA website: http://rpa.defra.gov.uk. Go to “Single Payment Scheme 2011’ and select ‘Electronic Channel’.
Kendall takes supermarket battle to Brussels
NFU president Peter Kendall has called on EU policy makers to tackle the power imbalance in supply chains to help farmers become more competitive. In a speech to MEPs, European Commission officials and other stakeholders in the European Parliament, Mr Kendall said EU institutions should work together to improve farmers’ bargaining position. “During times of economic hardship it is important to remember how important the agri-food sector is to the EU economy,” said Mr Kendall. “We estimate some 40 million people – or one in six jobs in the EU – depend on agricultural production. The EU agri-food sector offers massive potential to stimulate further growth, create jobs and opportunities especially in rural areas. But it can only do so if we have fair, functioning supply chains. The reform of the CAP offers some opportunities to help strengthen the position of farmers in the market place. But going further, the EU needs to build on Member State initiatives and consider how abuse of dominant market positions can be dealt with at EU level. As we see the grocery market consolidate and become more transnational, EU action will be needed to uphold fair trade across the single market. There’s been some recognition of the need to rebalance trading relationships through the work of the EU High Level Forum for a better functioning food supply chain. A recent document setting out the principles of good practice represents a positive important step towards improving supply chain relationships. But I believe the EU Commission will need to go further and consider the use of legislation to prevent bad practices.”
Government Water White Paper – NFU responds
The NFU has reacted to the publication of the Government’s Water White Paper today, welcoming it as an opportunity to work with farmers and growers and the Government to identify specific and appropriate measures to move to a sustainable water regime. The paper, launched by Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman, confirmed the Government’s pledge to value water as a precious resource and contained few surprises for the NFU, said water policy adviser Jenny Bashford. The NFU and its members recognise the way water is used and managed needs to change. Farmers and growers stand ready to play their part in moving to a more sustainable water management regime, as this is critical to secure and extend domestic food supply and quality. The White Paper contains a number of measures that are welcome such as those encouraging investment and innovation and water efficiency, however, the NFU does have significant concerns which we feel need to be addressed. In particular, we are concerned about government encouraging a single market in abstraction licence trading, because it could lead to a potential haemorrhaging of agricultural water rights. To guard against this, the NFU has long called for ring fenced water for farmers and growers who use such a small proportion, just one per cent, of abstracted water. We are also cautious about the statement about extrapolating from the 70 catchment scale pilot projects into a national scheme - water is a local issue and a ‘one size fits all’ policy approach will not deliver sustainable water management. In our view, Defra and the Environment Agency need to understand better how water moves through different ‘families’ of catchments, for the approach to produce the intended outcomes.
EU misses golden opportunity on dairy contracts, says NFU
A golden opportunity has been missed to strengthen dairy contracts across the European Union, according to the NFU. The European Commission, European Parliament and European Council have agreed a final text on the EU’s dairy package which aims to create a more sustainable future for the EU’s dairy sector. But NFU chief dairy advisor Rob Newbery said the text did little more than maintain the status quo. “The European Commission’s dairy package proposals were meant to safeguard the long-term future of the dairy sector but, with the exception of new powers for producer organisations, today’s agreement does little more than maintain the status quo for our farmers,” said Mr Newbery. “We have been in intense discussions with the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Council throughout the dairy package negotiations but disappointingly it seems farmers will not be protected by common contract rules across the European single market. “We see this as a real missed opportunity by the European institutions to help increase the bargaining power of farmers. However, the package doesn’t close the door on individual Member States choosing to legislate for minimum contract terms and Defra Minister Jim Paice has committed to consult on this matter when the time comes”.
North West representatives needed up tenancy & upland policy forums
Keen to make your voice heard? Want to help shape our policies? The NFU is seeking applicants for its tenancy forum and its upland issues policy forum. For more information or for an application form contact Adam Briggs on 01695 554 912 or email adam.briggs@nfu.org.uk.The newly constituted forums will meet in early March after the 2012 NFU AGM.
Keeping your herd free from TB: Wednesday 14th December, Lancaster
The recent TB outbreak in the Penrith area has brought into sharp focus the need for action if Cumbria and Lancashire are to remain largely free of TB. Government figures state that every time a farmer has a TB breakdown in the herd it will cost an average of £30,000. The NFU has been working with Animal Health to raise awareness of TB. The intention is to highlight the cost, the implications for farmers, and the possible ways in which it can be controlled by drawing up a check-list for farmers to consider when buying stock. We invite you to come along to our exclusive advisory seminar to hear:
• Adam Briggs, the NFU’s foremost policy expert, on his flagship NFU TB awareness scheme
• Ian McGrath, a farmer from Cheshire, on implications of the disease from a farmer’s perspective
• An SAC veterinary specialist on the practical steps you can take on your own farm to help eradicate TB
This takes place at 7:30pm on Wednesday 14th December at The Auction Cafe, Lancaster Auction Mart. Anybody is welcome. Don't miss your chance to be there So come along and learn how to stay on top of the TB threat. For more information call 01695 554 900.
Lower Alt with Crossens Pumped Drainage Flood Risk Management Strategic Plan
The Environment Agency (EA) has put together a Strategic Plan for the Alt with Crossens Review which sets out how water should be managed in the future. This is a consultation document and the EA are looking for feedback from farmers & growers. This could have a serious effect on the farmers and growers in the West Lancashire area. The consultation has been extended to the 31st January 2012. The NFU will be holding further meetings in the near future. Visit https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/portal/re/nw/flood/alt/lower_alt_and_crossens_consultation to read the consultation and complete the feedback form. Alternatively there are hard copies available at the regional NFU office in Skelmersdale. For more info call Richard Potts on 01695 554 917.
WHAT’S ON?
RABI Cumbria Carol Service: Monday 12 December, Kendal
There will be a Carol Service at Kendal Auction Mart on Monday 12 December, starting at 7.30 p.m. Seasonal refreshments will be available after the service. Numbers are restricted so tickets only. Tickets available from the Auction or from Kendal NFU office, £3 or £1 children 16 and under. Collection will be taken for RABI.
Dairy Sustainability Conference – Tuesday 13th December, Reaseheath College, Cheshire
The event will focus on creating and sharing value in the dairy food chain. The overall aim is to debate and explore the issues with key stakeholders (farmers, processors, retailers and government) and show positive ways forward. Speakers include Martin Evans, ASDA Dairylink Chairman, Richard Jones, Head of Dairy Policy at Defra and Mansell Raymond, NFU dairy Board Chairman. The conference starts at 9.30am and will finish around 4.30pm. It’s FREE to attend & lunch will be provided. It takes place at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 6DF. To book your place call Emily Welch on 01270 616464 or email emilyw@reaseheath.ac.uk
Foot Trimming (PART 2) Wednesday 15th December, Bolton
Builiding on the basic steps from day one, day two identifies common problems such as sole ulcers, white line disease and digital dermatitis and outlines trimming techniques to help control these areas. £61.75. To book or for further info call 01765 645 893.
NVZ Management: Thursday 15th December, Cheshire
NVZ Management plus nutrient management including PLANET & RB209 Part 2. 10:30am – 3pm at Red House Farm, Dunham Massey, WA14 5RL. For details or to book call 01995 642 255.
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