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Agricultural Briefings
The Chaplain for Agriculture and Rural Life produces a monthly briefing in the form of a letter which is designed to help people understand what is happening in agriculture. The briefings are always two sides of A4 unless there is a specific issue that requires more extensive treatment, such as background information on bovine TB, bluetongue or a complex legislative issue. Briefings may also be supplied via a group e-mail. To be put on the group e-mail contact agchap@btinternet.com.
May Briefing 2012
A few notes about the current state of UK agriculture.
Concern at government stance on CAP
The UK government's stance on reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has raised concerns within the farming industry. Although existing proposals suggested reducing direct payments to farmers ("Pillar 1") by 10% to allow more funding to be targeted towards rural development ("Pillar 2"), the UK wants individual countries to have greater flexibility with the net effect that direct payments could be reduced by as much as 30%. The industry argues that this would severely disadvantage UK farmers compared to their European counterparts.
Bovine TB update
As expected, Defra's decision to permit a badger cull in two pilot areas in England will face a legal challenge. A judge has granted an application by the Badger Trust to take the issue to the High Court on three grounds: the culls will not meet a strict legal test of "preventing the spread of disease"; defra's cost impact assessment is flawed; Natural England's guidance as the licensing authority is invalid as killing badgers was not a function for which it was established.
In Wales, where an earlier decision to support a cull was withdrawn and replaced with a badger vaccination programme, it is estimated that the net cost of vaccination will be £3.5m. Culling was estimated to be almost cost-neutral as the estimated costs of shooting or trapping badgers would have been offset by savings made in compensation payments to farmers for TB infected stock. The Farmers Union of Wales has also alleged that important scientific information which would have supported a cull was omitted from documents made publicly available by the Welsh Government.
Animal cloning
Brussels is considering five options to regulate animal cloning and is expected to bring forwards legislative proposals by March 2013. The most extreme option would be an outright ban on cloned animals and any products, food or offspring arising from them. It is also considering labelling products from cloned animals or their descendents though it accepts that traceability would be difficult. At the moment the creation of cloned animals and embryos is banned in the EU but the progeny of animals cloned abroad can be imported. The UK Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority have both concluded that there are no food safety risks posed by the products of offspring from cloned animals.
Schmallenberg Virus
Although the incidence of positive cases in sheep (currently 213) has shown a slight decline, as the lambing season progresses, scientists warn that the incidence may rise in cattle, which currently have 25 confirmed cases. The pregnancy of cattle is twice as long as that of sheep and it is possible that cases will begin to develop during May. Farmers are being warned to remain vigilant for symptoms of fever, milk yield reduction and diarrhoea in adult cattle.
Animal cloning
Brussels is considering five options to regulate animal cloning and is expected to bring forwards legislative proposals by March 2013. The most extreme option would be an outright ban on cloned animals and any products, food or offspring arising from them. It is also considering labelling products from cloned animals or their descendents though it accepts that traceability would be difficult. At the moment the creation of cloned animals and embryos is banned in the EU but the progeny of animals cloned abroad can be imported. The UK Food Standards Agency and the European Food Safety Authority have both concluded that there are no food safety risks posed by the products of offspring from cloned animals.
Protests against GM wheat
A group called "Take the Flour Back" are mobilising opposition against the trials of genetically modified wheat taking place at Rothamsted Research in Hertfordshire (see last month's briefing). A day of action has been planned for the end of May. Staff at Rothamsted have written to the protestors and hope to engage in a constructive dialogue about the technology.
Farmland values rise
Strong demand for farmland is pushing prices higher and the outlook remains firm. English farmland prices increased by 0.4% from January to March, to an average of £15,006/ha (£6,073/acre), though this is still below the level of £15,211/ha (£6,156/acre) reached last summer. Some analysts predict land prices rising by an average of 6% per year over the next five years.
Rural Payments Agency
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA), responsible for administering the Single Payment Scheme (SPS), announced plans to open its customer service helplines during weekends and some bank holidays between 21st April and 12th May to assist farmers who have not yet completed 2012 SPS applications. The helpline number is 0845 603 7777. Depending on demand there may be extensions until 9th June.
I hope this is helpful,
Nick