It was brilliant to catch up with members at The Royal Bath & West Show.
We welcomed David Barton, NFU Livestock Board Chair onto the stand for a reception, with apple juice and cider kindly donated by Neil Macdonald from Orchard Park Farms. David spoke about the recently launched Support British sheep farming report, as well as Animal Health and Welfare Pathway proposals, including the consultation on tail docking and castration. He also highlighted the ongoing impacts of the war in the Middle East on farming.
We also hosted a member roundtable on stand with Paul McGuinness, Defra Deputy Director for Environmental Land Management Schemes.
Members raised concerns about the uncertainty of SFI 2026 and the current inability to apply for a new agreement before the end of an existing one. Discussion covered the budget for SFI, Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier agreements, and derogations for dry weather.
It was welcome to see the SFI detail released on 2 June, however we will continue to lobby for clear scheme details and budget transparency. There are several resources on NFU Online available to help support you with the guidance and applying for SFI26:
- SFI – scheme guidance and information – NFUonline
- NFU Support Schemes Adviser explains how to prepare for SFI26 – NFUonline
We were delighted to welcome Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, to the county for a member meeting on 21 May. Tom discussed current workstreams for the NFU and how we have been supporting members businesses with questions on TB, Farm Assurance, and water in Somerset with the EA Maintenance withdrawal consultation.
If you have any questions or there are factors impacting your business, then please do get in touch so we can help support you. You can contact your local Group Secretaries, myself as County Adviser, or NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458.
Finally, I am pleased to announce that on 18 May the NFU Mutual Williton, Rooksbridge & Sedgemoor agencies merged under the newly named Weston, Bridgwater & Williton Agency.
Whilst the NFU Mutual agencies have merged, for the NFU, the Williton, Weston-Super-Mare and Sedgemoor NFU branches remain the same. The branches are supported by Group Secretaries and Agents Tony Monnington, Neil Brand, Naomi Parker-Jones and Sarah-Jane Trask.
It has been great to meet members at the two Meet the Team events this month.