It was great to catch up with members at the Exford Show last week and to support those seeking advice on bluetongue, NFU Energy, and the ongoing impact of the dry weather on farm businesses.
We look forward to seeing more members over the coming weeks at local shows and branch events. The Stratton Branch team will be attending the Frome Agricultural and Cheese Show on 12 September alongside the Rural Crime Team. Please do visit us on the NFU stand for a chat, the latest farming updates, and some refreshments.
Bluetongue
Sadly, we continue to see many members affected by the bluetongue outbreak across the region. We are working hard to ensure affected members receive the support they need while keeping you informed with the latest advice and guidance. If you need support, please do not hesitate to contact me, your local branch team, or NFU CallFirst.
This week we hosted a series of bluetongue meetings across Devon and Somerset, bringing together NFU President Tom Bradshaw, APHA, veterinary advisers and members of the NFU Livestock Team. These events provided an opportunity for members to hear the latest updates, ask questions, and share their experiences.
Tom Bradshaw also visited a member’s farm on Exmoor this week to see firsthand the impact bluetongue is having on their business. Tom will use the conversations to continue to raise BTV with senior government officials and relevant agencies to secure effective policies, resources, and support to prevent the spread of bluetongue and mitigate its impact on farming businesses. Please see below for links to our BTV resources page.
To ensure you receive important updates from us, please check that your NFU communication preferences are up to date. You can do this by logging in to NFU Online and selecting My Preferences, or by contacting NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
NFU joins Somerset Flooding Advisory Board
The NFU has been invited to join the Flood Resilience Programme Advisory Group, made up of key partners including the IDB, EA, NE, SRA, and Somerset Councillors. The group will work out how and where to direct and deliver the £50 million granted to Somerset Council after the flooding in February.
Emma Hardy, Water Minister visited Somerset earlier in the year to witness the impact of flooding. In June it was announced Government would invest £50 million, with funding to be spend in two years to support Somerset's homes and businesses with the threat of flooding.
On Monday 10th August, NFU South Environment Adviser Madeleine Sweet attended the second of these meetings where we are advocating the need for clear communication to farmers and landowners, particularly where project proposals may impact them.