South West NFU team blog: Oct 2014

24 October

Beaches, basic payments and ballots
Wiltshire adviser Andi Witcombe writes: After a week on the beach (pictured right), like the other counties in the region, we welcomed our team of experts from NFU HQ to speak to members about the CAP. Although Defra intend to release a further update on the rules next week, there were many updates to cover – including a discussion on Environment Secretary Liz Truss’s announcement last week that agricultural land with solar panels will not be eligible for claiming Basic Payment Scheme from 2015. The NFU CAP Essentials document will be updated once the latest Defra guidance is released and will be available online.

After our CAP meeting, the elected Wiltshire office holders and I got together to discuss county business including the plan for our upcoming annual open meeting – to be held on 4 December at the Bear Hotel in Devizes, from 7pm. We are pleased to welcome along Minette Batters – Wiltshire farmer and NFU Deputy President – to tell us about her first year in office and update us on some of the key pieces of NFU work this year. In addition, we will have an update from Lackham College, the Police Crime Commissioner and will hold elections for several positions in the county – keep an eye on the county webpages for more information on these posts over the coming weeks.

Helping the next generation into farming
Cornwall adviser Patrick Aubrey-Fletcher writes: I co-ordinated the agricultural section for the Skills Show at the Royal Cornwall Showground which was attended by 3,500 secondary and college students from Cornwall to look at apprenticeship and employment opportunities. Exhibitors in the section included Fullwood, DairyCo, Trewithen, Riviera Produce, Shearing, Bright Crop, Teagle Farm Machinery, Duchy College Engineering section, BMLI, Cornwall Development Company, Andrew Brewer and the HGCA. It was a good opportunity for networking and I was able to meet useful contacts from the food and services sectors.

23 October

Making the Cotswold Choice
Gloucestershire adviser Colin Downey writes: I met with members at two group offices as part of the CAP surgeries to have one-to-one discussions with them. I’ve also followed up an enquiry from a lapsed member. We had a discussion about how the NFU could help him and his business and I’m delighted to report he has signed up to return to membership.

Then I attended a launch / workshop for Cotswold Choice, a new environmental assurance brand for the Cotswolds, with initial funding coming from Stroud Council. The new brand will ‘recognise high standards of environmental and landscape management’ and will eventually be rolled out across the whole of the Cotswolds. An interesting choice of venue: it was held at Forest Green Rovers Stadium, Nailsworth. The Gloucestershire club is owned by Dale Vince who is a vegan.
I met with a new group secretary to provide support and training, including preparations for the branch annual open meeting.

22 October

The NFU helps kids get Farmwise
Devon Adviser Andrew Butler writes: October has seen the second ‘Farmwise’ event at the Westpoint showground where around 1,500 school children descended on the site for the day to learn all about farming and food. The NFU was there in the form of the extremely popular Farming Roadshow and its effervescent presenter Johnny Ball (ably assisted by myself). It was a great day and a perfect opportunity to connect with the consumers of tomorrow. The main excitement for the children was some of the props (such as Andrew Freemantle’s piglets and the rather large combine in the YFC area!). We were between the beef and dairy zones and focused on explaining the nutritional benefits of dairy products and the difference between beef and dairy cows – my task was to teach them to milk Annabelle the model cow! Planning has already started for next year and we are looking for more farmers to get involved and help out, it won’t take much time. All that is needed is an enthusiasm to educate young children in all things farming, so if you are keen to get involved please let me know.

Back British spuds
Dorset adviser Matt Uren writes: I did an interview for BBC Spotlight yesterday about the ‘humble potato’. Quite why the potato is referred to as ‘humble’ I do not know. It is the main carbohydrate eaten in this country. It contains more potassium that three bananas and great deal of vitamin C and B6 to boot. Despite this, potato consumption continues to fall each year. I suspect can partly be attributed to the rise in other carbs (pasta, rice etc.) but largely it would seem, it’s just that people are buying different potato products. Instead of fresh potatoes, more crisps, chips and convenience foods are being purchased. As a result, consumers probably still have the same amount of potato products in their basket but those products simply contain a smaller amount of potato in them. Falling consumption, combined with a good growing year like this one, has left many growers in a very difficult position. The call from the NFU is, and remains, back British farming and look out for British produce when you’re doing your shopping.

20 October

Bee farmers keen to explore greening
Environment advisor Paul Cottington writes: I recently spoke to 50 members of the Southern Area Bee Farmers Association who were very interested in how they could work more closely with farmers and in particular what the new proposals under greening would mean for bee farmers. The meeting was very positive and we are now exploring ways of helping bee farmers link up with agricultural farmers to mutual benefit. This could involve putting colonies near crops to help increase production. In addition we discussed the impact of neonicotinoids. The bee farmers all stated that their colonies had never had any problems with neonics and they are concerned about the impact of the ban on changing crops and the use of other pesticides.

16 October

Harvest safely gathered in
Gloucestershire adviser Colin Downey writes: The NFU/YFC annual harvest service at Gloucester Cathedral on 5 October went well. The Glos YFC is doing a fine job in presenting the harvest. Members of both the NFU & YFC joined with guests for tea after the service.

I joined my colleagues from the South East to meet the AHVLA (now APHA – Animal and Plant Health Authority) to hear about the changes following the merger (from 1 November) with plant health. It was interesting to hear of the national emergency contingency planning operations they undergo.

There was an interesting multi-agency meeting at Tewkesbury Council offices. The first meeting during the cull so GABS (Gloucestershire Against Badger Shooting) vented their spleen against the NFU & the police.

NFU President Meurig joined the Gloucestershire Management Team during his visit to all the South West counties. Meurig updated the team on national events but formally expressed his sincere thanks and admiration to all involved in carrying out the pilot badger cull.

14 October

MEP enjoys discussion and a pub lunch
Dorset county adviser Matthew Uren writes: Dorset NFU vice chairman James Cossins has hosted South West MEP Ashley Fox at his farm. The visit included a tour of the grain store, the calf-rearing unit and the butchers, followed by a pub lunch at the Langton Arms. As a result of the meeting Ashley has agreed to submit questions to the EU Commission about plant protection products and Private Storage Aid (PSA). The meeting also provided an opportunity for some members of Dorset NFU to meet the new Dorset county adviser Louise Stratton (second from right), who takes over Matthew Uren (far left) on 10 November.

10 October

Milling tour is poultry board's latest stop 
Gloucestershire (and poultry) adviser Colin Downey writes: South West Poultry members have continued their tour of the region. Having visited Nick and Claire Bragg’s broiler operation in Somerset and Colin Carter’s egg business in Cornwall earlier in the year, last week members visited Crediton Milling in Devon. A few new faces were welcomed and joined board members for a most interesting tour. Our picture shows Mark Gulley (centre), Crediton Milling’s managing director, explaining the operations of the mill to one of the tour groups.

•I’ve held the first of the Gloucestershire CAP surgeries at the Thornbury office. Members called in to discuss, on an individual basis, a variety of concerns about the new online application procedure, requirements on Ecological Focus Areas for their business and the selling of entitlements.

8 October

Back to school for Matt
Dorset adviser Matt Uren writes: NFU President Meurig Raymond and MEP Ashley Fox were both in Dorset this week to speak with farmers – at separate meetings but I fully expect the milk price, TB and the CAP to heavily dominate both gatherings.

The milk price remains poor, but it’s not the only sector that is suffering – wheat is below £110t, and potatoes are nearly £90t. The beef price shows the slightest glimmers of improving but we shall see.

Back to the day job and I’ll be spending my afternoon at Kingston Maurward College telling the first intake at the Studio School why they should consider a career in agriculture: don’t think I’ve spoken to 13-year-olds since I was one, should be interesting!

6 October

MEP gets to grips with sprayer
Wiltshire adviser Andi Witcombe writes: Julie Girling MEP visited Wiltshire members this week to discuss the issues surrounding plant protection product regulation in the European Union. As part of the discussions, which included an update on the Voluntary Initiative, we discussed the ability of European – specifically UK – farmers to compete on the global market due to the huge losses to the plant protection arsenal over recent decades and the practical implications of the science surrounding the Water Framework Directive.

Before she departed, Julie spent half an hour on a high-tech self-propelled sprayer (pictured), learning how the GPS mapping and individually controlled nozzles help reduce the use of sprays.

2 October

Prices top dairy show agenda
Somerset adviser Alex Stevens writes: Had a great day at the Dairy Show this week, talking to members about their concerns and hearing about how milk prices are impacting their business planning. It is always good to hear first-hand how farmers are feeling and I was quite genuinely surprised to hear the range of thoughts, from those who are incredibly worried to those who are quietly optimistic. The clear message is that milk prices must be of a sufficient level and structured accordingly to allow farmers to invest with some degree of confidence. Some idea of an average price over say, the next 5 years, would be tremendously helpful.

Sue Mountstevens, Police and Crime Commissioner from Avon and Somerset Police popped by to say hello. We discussed a range of issues but of particular interest was the news that the force will be investing in a new team who will effectively become rural champions within the force, they will gain an understanding of the impacts that crime has on isolated communities and rural businesses and help to ensure that policing in rural areas becomes a more proactive activity.

1 October

NVZ appeal success
Environment adviser Paul Cottington writes: Farmers in the Powerstock NVZ area in Dorset will be celebrating this week (and for many months to come!) after they received the judgement from the First Tier Tribunal that their appeal against the designation of their groundwater as polluted had been upheld.

This decision went against the arguments of the Environment Agency who tried to prove that the area should still be an NVZ based on their science and means farmers in the area will not need to follow the NVZ action programme. Much of the success is down to farm manager Anthony Butler (far right) of Crutchley Farms who was one of the leading lights in the whole appeal and has shown that where farmers come together and make use of support from the NFU’s Legal Assistance Scheme it can really make the different between able to farm as you want and need to, and not farming. It also highlights how farmers should look to collect their own evidence to help with any future designations.

• I met with Natural England to discuss the progress of the next three stretches of coastline that are part of the coastal access project. These are: Aust to Brean Down, Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle and Minehead to Brean Down. This last stretch is likely to be launched in the spring of 2015 and the Lyme Regis to Rufus Castle stretch is looking to finalise and publish proposals later this winter with site visits and meetings already having been held with landowners. The Aust to Brean Down stretch is in the initial preparation phase and the NFU will be ensuring that all members who are affected get briefings on what coastal access will mean to them and what they can do about it.