County council
County Chair Kate Mayne and I met with the leader of Shropshire Council, Heather Kidd, as we do quarterly. It was a very productive meeting with the key win being a commitment from Ms Kidd that that the farmer's voice would be heard when the Local Plan finally goes to consultation.
They have had a re jig of their portfolios and Cllr Sarah Marston now has the portfolio for the Local Nature Recovery Strategy. We asked if she could be included when we next meet with them.
Other topics discussed were agricultural planning, specifically involving poultry and slurry stores, the road block on planning in the Clun and the worry about the Severn Valley Water Management Plan, in particularly the proposed hard engineering.
Finally, we talked about our concerns with the environmental NGOs and their perceived influence.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
The FIPL panel, which your uplands rep, Graham Price, and I sit on, has started meeting again following the confirmation over funding for the next three years.
If you farm within the National Landscape (former AONB) and have an idea that could both benefit your farm and the environment, please do get in touch with the FIPL team, or have a word with Graham or me.
Badger vaccination
There is a proposal for a badger bTB vaccination project in the north-west of the county. Roughly, Nesscliffe to Llanymynech, Oswestry, back to Ellesmere and down to Preston Gubbels.
There would be zero cost to the farmer and landowner, and all they would be expected to do would be to sign an access agreement.
Whilst I feel the evidence is weak, that vaccinating badgers has much effect in TB in cattle, it can do no harm and if it saves just one cow, and costs farmers nothing, what have we got to lose?
NFU Council spring meeting
Shropshire Council Delegate Richard Yates reports on the recent spring council meeting held at Stoneleigh last month.
This was the first gathering since NFU Conference, with plenty of introductory action for the new intake of delegates. Elections for NFU Audit and Governance Board were undertaken along with a farewell to Director General, Terry Jones.
President, Tom Bradshaw, highlighted the inflationary pressure caused by the Iran War, notably fuel and fertiliser price increases. Thanks were given to members who had provided evidence of such hikes which has been provided to Defra. A major concern is the continuity of fuel supply during harvest.
Our appalling fatality record in agriculture was highlighted. Thirty-five died in farming last year, up 10 from the year before. With margins tight, we are typically working longer and can get tired and lose concentration. It is a fact that you are 21 times more likely to die in agriculture than other industries.
The temporary restart if the Ensus bioethanol plant in Teeside to shore up CO2 is positive news. The NFU is lobbying hard to get local wheat used rather than imported maize.
Eastern and southern arable farmers are concerned by the impact of six weeks' dry weather on their arable crops. Plenty of wheat is being irrigated but the lack of water is an issue over there.
There is considerable variation in the dairy industry, with 2.5% on notice of termination of their contracts. It's timely that cold nights have restricted a spring flush of milk, for which there isn't a home.
The new Chair of the National Pig Association is Jo Churchill (ex-Tory MP and minister). Clearly an asset to the industry but she sadly informed us that pork prices are on the floor.
The sugar beet acreage continues to contract due to poor returns. It's a possibility that one of the four eastern factories may close.
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