Advance payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) will be issued to thousands of Welsh farmers tomorrow (Thursday, October 12), Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced.

It is expected that over 96% of claimants – over 15,600 farms – will see a BPS advance payment worth approximately 70% of their estimated claim value.

This year, for the first time, Rural Payments Wales (RPW) will be making BPS advance payments during a payment window.

The payment window opening tomorrow will run until December 15; farm businesses not receiving an advance payment tomorrow, but whose claim is subsequently validated before December 15, will receive the advance payment.

Full and remaining BPS payments will then be issued from December 15.

“I am pleased we can provide BPS advance payments to thousands of farms across Wales,” Rural Affairs Minister, Lesley Griffiths commented.

“Changes we have made also means more farm businesses will benefit from an advance payment during the payment window.

“RPW will be working hard to ensure full and remaining balance payments are made as early as possible from December 15.”

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The Welsh branch of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU Cymru) has called for further clarity on the budget for the new Habitat Wales Scheme.

The scheme, which is an interim scheme between Glastir ending in December and the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) beginning in SFS, opens for applications on Friday (September 29).

However, details around the budget for the new interim scheme are unclear, which NFU Cumru has said is “unsettling” for those considering entering.

“As developments unfold we are increasingly anxious for Glastir contract-holders, many of whom have been participants in agri-environment schemes for decades and who have adapted their businesses as a result, who could well lose a significant part of their income in 2024,” NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board chair Hedd Pugh said.

“We’ve had no reassurances that the new, interim scheme will match levels of income currently received through Glastir.

“For an industry that is so reliant on certainty and long-term planning – and having weathered significant financial storms and volatility in the last year – it is very difficult for farmers to make a commitment to this scheme when we still don’t know the budget available with only three months until the scheme begins,” he added.

Announcing the opening date for Habitat Wales Scheme applications on yesterday (Monday, September 25), Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said she will confirm the scheme’s budget once the Welsh government’s overall budget is decided on.

The Welsh government’s financial position after the UK’s Spring Budget in March is £900 million lower in real terms.

“As you’ll be aware, the Cabinet has been working throughout the summer to do everything we can to mitigate these budgetary pressures,” Griffiths said.

“Once this work has been completed, I will be in a position to confirm the budget for the scheme.”

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Farmers who have a live Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2023 agreement before the end of the year will receive an accelerated payment in the first month of their agreement, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed.

Defra said the payment date has been brought forward “in recognition of the challenges faced with inflation and rising input costs”.

The SFI is currently accepting expressions of interest and will start accepting applications from September 18.

The department had been criticised for a potential delay in payments due to the roll out of the scheme being pushed back.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) said that delays in SFI coincide with reductions in Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments which it said would leave farmers facing a “double whammy in the run-up to Christmas”.

Mark Tufnell, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has welcomed the acceleration of SFI 2023 payments.

“This meaningful package of support will provide further reassurance to farmers concerned about their cashflow, and will give confidence that the SFI is worth entering into,” he said.

“The CLA continues to engage robustly but constructively with Defra in pursuit of environmental schemes that work for farm businesses, food security and the environment,” he added.

SFI

The SFI is one of the government’s post-Brexit farming schemes. It pays farmers for actions that manage land in a way that improves food production and is environmentally sustainable.

Payments under the scheme for 2023 were set to be made every three months; in SFI 22, payments were made mid-way though the fourth month after the start date of the agreement. SFI agreements do not all start on a single date.

Farmers with agreements will also receive payment to cover one on-farm visit each year to review the health and welfare of livestock.

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The deadline for applications for the 2024 Countryside Stewardship mid-tier agreements has been extended until Friday, September 15.

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) said it has been extended to allow more people to submit applications online, following “direct feedback” from farmers.

There had been some technical issues that a small number of applicants experienced when submitting applications, which have now been resolved, the RPA said.

Commenting on the extension, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey said:

“Having met many farmers across the country this summer, and recognising the poor weather has made harvesting much more challenging, I think it right we extend the application window for Countryside Stewardship this year to make sure that those who want to apply for this scheme can – building on the great success we have had with this scheme to date.”

The RPA has already received 3,900 applications, according to its chief executive Paul Caldwell.

“With this extension, we can make sure that others who have not fully submitted their application, or those who haven’t yet applied, have the time they need to do so.

“I would encourage anyone who has not yet fully submitted an application to do so, and should anyone have any difficulties with amending their land details then we have guidance available on this and applicants can contact us if they encounter any issues,” Caldwell added

Countryside Stewardship

The Countryside Stewardship scheme provides financial incentives for farmers, foresters and land managers to look after and improve the environment.

It will be made up of eight grants when in full swing.

The aim of mid-tier grants is to protect and enhance the natural environment through multi-year management and capital grants to improve:

• Diversity of wildlife;
• Water quality;
• Air quality; and
• Natural flood management.

It also comprises wildlife offers, providing options to help improve wildlife in four different farming types.

Before applying for a Countryside Stewardship grant, farmers, land managers etc. must register with the RPA.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced £10 million in grants for cattle farmers in England to help them introduce modern facilities to their farms to replace their aging cattle buildings.

The announcement came today (Wednesday, July 26), as the Animal Health and Welfare Infrastructure Grant (AHWIG) will allocate funding to farmers ranging from £15,000 to £500,000.

A statement from Defra said the money will go towards “prioritising new and upgraded calf housing” to improve conditions for livestock and boost farmers’ productivity and profitability.

Minister of State for Farming, Fisheries and Food, Mark Spencer said: “Our animal health and welfare grants are helping farmers improve conditions for their livestock.

“Not only is that good for the animals, it’s also a way to improve productivity and help them be more profitable.”

Grants for calf housing mean farmers can receive funding to develop a variety of building types, including the construction of A-frame buildings to house dairy calves from birth to weaning, or a mono-pitch building on a beef unit to house calves from 3-6 months.

The AHWIG can also provide funding for roof-top solar panels on calf housing buildings, enabling farmers to improve the thermal insulation of the building and provide low cost energy for calf housing.

According to Defra, this new funding expands the range of grants already on offer through the Farming Transformation Fund, which currently includes support for improvements to slurry, water management and productivity.

Defra has announced that it will be extending this infrastructure grant to other livestock sectors, with funding set to be available for pig and poultry farmers.

Further grants

Further announcements came from Defra today, as it declared that over £19 million has been awarded to over 3,000 farmers eligible for the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant.

Pig, poultry, sheep and cattle farmers who successfully applied to the first round of the grant can now receive grants of between £1,000 and £25,000.

The money is aimed at helping farmers with items ranging from:

• Livestock handling equipment to reduce lameness in sheep or cattle;
• Sealed water tanks to reduce disease transmission in outdoor pigs;
• Automated monitoring system and sensors which free up farmers’ time and limit environmental stress in poultry housing. 

All of the available items were selected through a collaborative co-design process involving industry professionals, veterinarians, and academics, as the items all contribute significantly to welfare, productivity, and biosecurity.

“It’s great to see such enthusiasm for these grants, with over 3,000 farmers receiving money through the equipment and technology grant from today, and many more set to benefit with our investment in new and upgraded calf housing through our brand new infrastructure grant,” Spencer continued.

The Rural Payment Agency is currently writing to all successful applicants so they can start the process of purchasing their new equipment.

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Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) advance payments will be issued to farmers on August 1, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has confirmed.

These advance payments will comprise up to 50% of the total annual BPS payment.

Once again, BPS payments are being issues in two instalments this year in an effort to help farmers with cashflow during the summer period.

Last year – the first year advance payments were made – payments started in July and concluded in August. This year the first instalment will be completed on one day.

“We recognise the importance of these payments to the rural community, which is why we listened to the sector and are making the majority of payments on one day to provide certainty to farmers,” Paul Caldwell, chief executive of the RPA, said.

“This also marks the second year of the permanent change to two payments, with the first instalment brought forward to the summer, and I’m pleased this is having a positive impact on farmers’ cashflow.”

BPS payments will continue to be made in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period; the remainder will be paid in December.

The RPA expects the vast majority of farmers to be paid on time, though there will be a small number of farmers whose claims will require additional checks which will take longer to process.

Farmers are being encouraged to sign into the Rural Payment service to check their details are up to date, including their email, mailing address and bank account details.  

The BPS payments are slowly being phased out during the post-Brexit agricultural transition period. They are expected to be phased out completely by the end of the agricultural transition period in 2027.

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The Welsh government has today (Friday, July 21) announced that the Glastir scheme will end in December.

It will be replaced by a new agri-environment interim scheme until the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) comes into force in 2025.

This new interim scheme will provide support for all eligible farmers, including Glastir Advanced, Commons and Organic farmers when their contracts expire on December 31, 2023.

The scheme will be introduce from January 1, 2024. The application window will open later this year.

The Welsh government said that further details on the scheme will be made available following discussions with stakeholders.

Glastir ending December

The ending of Glastir also means that farmers and land managers in Wales will be able to access all of the available Rural Investment Schemes, a number of which will prepare them to enter the SFS.

At present, Glastir Advanced farmers are unable to apply to the Small Grants – Environment scheme.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Welsh Minister for Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:

“The Climate Change Committee recommended there should be no gap between the end of Glastir and the start of the SFS, and this is what we are delivering today.

“Through Glastir, we have supported farmers to maintain and enhance habitat protection; we want to maintain this investment as we transition to the new Sustainable Farming Scheme.

“I’m pleased today to announce an interim agri-environment scheme to continue supporting farmers to protect valuable habitats ahead of the introduction of the SFS.

“The interim scheme is an important step as we progress towards the Sustainable Farming Scheme which will support farmers to produce food sustainably at the same time as addressing the climate and nature emergencies. It paves the way towards the SFS and its Sustainable Land Management principles.”

The Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) has said that today’s announcement will cause “major concerns” across the industry.

“This announcement will raise grave concerns for thousands of farming families, not only in terms of their financial viability but also with regard to how the Welsh Government will implement such a scheme over such a short period of time,” FUW president Ian Rickman said.

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The Scottish government has extended the Fruit and Vegetable Aid Scheme for a further two years.

The EU scheme enables officially recognised Producer Organisations, formed on the initiative of a group of growers, to receive financial assistance to help increase their competitiveness in the supply chain. 

The Scottish government has allocated up to £6 million in funding for these two extended years, of which Scottish Borders Produce (SBP), East of Scotland Growers and Angus Growers will all receive a share.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said she hopes that this extension can provide “much-needed stability and security to the sector over the next two years”.

“Supporting our local fruit and vegetable growers is crucial,” she said.

“To make fresh, local produce more readily available in local shops, to support jobs in the agricultural sector and to increase our food security as a nation.

“I know that the sector continues to deal with a range of significant challenges and is one of those most acutely affected by Brexit which has caused unnecessary and unhelpful seasonal labour shortages.

“Most recently, water scarcity has created problems too in some areas, while every part of farming is still having to meet increased costs for supply inputs and energy.”

“Continuing this support has arguably never been more important. 

“Meanwhile, the Scottish Government will continue to work on giving greater certainty on multi-year funding longer term,” she said.

SBP company secretary Brian Aitchison said the co-operative is “grateful” for the extension.

“As a farmer’s co-operative we continuously work towards spreading crop yield variances and financial risks. The funding extension provides extra stability in a difficult growing environment,” he said.

“We continue to attract new members who appreciate the co-operative business model, and this funding helps sustain that co-operation.

“It is wonderful and re-assuring to see this funding continue for the next two years and hopefully well beyond that.”

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Welsh Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths has published three documents relating to the second phase of co-design on the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

The SFS will be Wales’ post-Brexit answer to the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and will be the government’s main mechanism to support farmers in Wales going forward.

Minister Griffiths outlined scheme proposals for the SFS last July, which were the basis for this period of co-design with farmers and stakeholders, which will help shape the scheme.

Minister Griffiths published three reports yesterday (Tuesday, July 11) in total. The ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme Co-design Final Report’ is the collated feedback from over 1600 contributions, primarily from farmers, covering all main agricultural sectors. 

‘Sustainable Farming Scheme – Analysis of feedback to the outline scheme proposals’ reflects the responses of 100 stakeholder organisations, groups and individuals who contributed wider feedback. 

Minister Griffiths also published ‘Sustainable Farming Scheme Outline Proposals – Co-design Response. 

Key points that the Welsh government has taken from the co-design responses include:

• Farmers need time to understand and implement changes. Because of this, a phased approach could be considered, which could mean rolling out the Universal Actions when the scheme begins in 2025, with Optional and Collaborative Actions in the following years;
• It was proposed a Habitat Baseline Review would be needed before joining the scheme. Consideration will be made on how to make this scalable for the Universal Layer by using information already held, to remotely identify habitats on the farm through the familiar process of RPW online;
• Concerns regarding recognition for good management of existing habitats and woodland above the proposed minimum requirement;
• Based on feedback, further detail has been provided on the scenarios where tree planting is not possible. Changes are being explored so the planting action is not 10% of the entire holding, but 10% of the remaining area once unsuitable areas have been identified. The 10% tree cover would include existing tree cover.

“All of this will now feed into the consultation to take place later this year,” Minister Griffiths said.

“We have never before been able to utilise farmers input in this way, when designing a scheme, and I look forward to further discussing the proposals with farmers at the Royal Welsh and other shows this summer,” she added.

“The feedback and co-operation to date will help us all to deliver an ambitious and accessible scheme for active farmers.”

The next stage in the SFS progress will be a consultation later this year. Decision on the final design of the scheme will not be made until after the consultation has concluded.

Sustainable Farming Scheme co-design

National Farmers’ Union Wales (NFU Cymru) said it remains “supportive of Welsh Government’s overarching framework for the SFS arranged around universal, optional and collaborative tiers”.

However, it reiterated some of the farmer concerns that the Welsh government has taken on board from the co-design reports – such as more detail and time needed to understand and adapt to the new scheme.

NFU Cymru president Aled Jones, said: “NFU Cymru is extremely concerned and disappointed that Welsh Government appears to have doubled down on its 10% tree cover target (on areas Welsh Government considers suitable for tree planting) within the universal tier of the proposed scheme.

“In our response to the SFS outline proposals, NFU Cymru highlighted the broad range of issues associated with the 10% tree cover and 10% habitat targets.

“We remain clear the challenges around these targets present a very real barrier to scheme participation. 

“Farmers will be prepared to plant hedges, shelterbelts, streamside corridors and field corners on appropriate areas of their farm but will not plant trees on their productive land.”

Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) said the acknowledgment of the “much-talked-about 10% tree cover requirement” is a positive recognition of farmer engagement on the co-design progress.

FUW president Ian Rickman commented: “This marks welcome progress that reflects the concerns we have highlighted from the outset.

“But further concessions are needed if we are to avoid requiring agricultural land that is important for food production and the sustainability of individual farm business being planted with trees,” he added.

“We’ve been clear from the outset that food production and economic viability have to be considered equally to the environmental aspects of this scheme.”

He said the scheme is now at a “critical stage” in terms of whether progress over the coming months results in a “practical” scheme that delivers “economic, environmental and social sustainability”.

“The most important thing is to make sure this scheme is accessible and works for every farm. That includes the transition into the scheme so any action taken to make that process smoother for farmers is welcome,” he said.

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Small and medium-sized businesses will soon be able to apply for a share of £5 million in grant funding to “scale up agricultural innovation”.

The Farming Innovation Investor Partnership Competition will open for applications on Monday, July 24.

The competition seeks to support pioneering projects across the agricultural sector that have demonstrated the potential to grow and generate revenue, supporting the commercialisation of on-farm technologies that can then be rolled out across the industry.

Projects are encouraged to apply from across the livestock, arable, horticulture, bioeconomy and agroforestry sectors and should focus on solutions that support productivity, environmental sustainability, progression towards net-zero emissions and farming resilience.

The competition combines private investment with grant funding; projects can bid for up to 45% of project costs in grant funding which must be matched by at least twice the amount in private investment.

Investors for the programme will be selected from the pool of Innovate UK Investor Partners which currently comprises 80 partners and growing. There is also no limit to the level of private investment for projects.

Commenting on the competition, Mark Spencer, Minister of State for Food, Farming and Fisheries said: “Supporting a resilient, sustainable and innovative agriculture sector that puts food on our tables while safeguarding the environment is my priority, and we are working with farmers to deliver this through our new farming schemes and grants.

“By bringing together cutting-edge agri-innovation and public and private investment, we can unlock new technologies that help make our farm businesses as productive as possible.”

The Farming Innovation Investor Partnership Competition is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and run in partnership with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Innovate UK.

In order to apply, projects must be led by a sole UK registered micro, small, or medium-sized business and exhibit clear and tangible connections to farmers, growers, agri-businesses, and other potential end-users.

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The government will start accepting applications for what it has called the “new and improved” Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in a controlled rollout from August.

During the initial roll out period, when farmers sign into the Rural Payments service they will either be able to apply online or will be asked to contact the Rural Payments Agency, who will arrange for them to start an application.   

This year there are additional actions for farmers to choose from, bringing the total on offer to 23.

These new additions cover actions on hedgerows, integrated pest management, nutrient management, farmland wildlife, buffer strips, and low input grassland.

The government has also streamlined the application process for farmers; farmers will now only be shown the options available to their farm and can now choose their own combination of actions in a ‘pick and mix’ structure.

Farmers can also decide how best to achieve each action’s aim, rather than prescriptive on-size-fits-all rules, and the scheme has been made more compatible with the Countryside Stewardship where land is eligible for both schemes.

There’s also no minimum or maximum land area or hedgerow length, so farmers can choose how much land to cover with their SFI agreement.

“After listening to extensive feedback from farmers, we’ve done a huge amount to streamline and improve the Sustainable Farming Incentive, making it as simple and flexible as possible for farmers to engage with, apply for and embrace,” Farming Minister Mark Spencer commented.

“We want farmers to be able to access a package that works best for them.

“The scheme will remain flexible to allow for the changing needs and requirements of both farmers and their markets to ensure the best outcomes for food production and the natural environment.” 

The government has also published a new SFI Handbook and sector-specific guides to help farmers understand what’s on offer to them easily.

SFI 2023

Payments under SFI 2023 will be made every three months and participating farmers will receive management payment of £20/ha for the first 50ha to cover participation costs.

They will also receive payment to cover one on-farm visit each year to review the health and welfare of livestock.

Payments rates will be the same for upland and lowland areas and there will be an additional annual payment for common land of £6.15/ha for groups of two or more.

There are also shorter agreement lengths that do not require landlord consent for tenant farmers.

The SFI is one of the government’s post-Brexit farming schemes. It pays farmers for actions that manage land in a way that improves food production and is environmentally sustainable.

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A £30 million fund has been allocated to farming projects that will focus on boosting food production, moving towards net zero and promoting a more sustainable agricultural sector it was announced today Wednesday (May 31).

The funding, announced by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is set to be awarded to more than 50 successful projects.

Some of the projects that will benefit from the funding include:

• Genetics research projects which could reduce methane emissions in cattle by 17% per generation;
• A UK-grown protein source that can replace soya in human foods;
• Investigations into the use of drones and artificial intelligence to inspect and monitor animals to enable farmers to take action should animals go missing or need attention;
• Efforts to develop biopesticides using fungal strains that help tackle pests in wheat crops and to pin-point the genetics for creating slug resistant wheat.

The government has also said a further £12.5 million will be made available to fund “innovative projects” that are aimed at delivering a more productive, resilient and sustainable agricultural sector.

The funds are part of the Farming Innovation Programme, run in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and delivered by Innovate UK.

Secretary of State for Agriculture, Thérèse Coffey, said: “Farmers are always forward-looking, and innovation is key to driving forward a resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture sector that puts food on our tables whilst protecting and restoring the environment.

“Alongside our new farming schemes, these grants will help to support farmers and pave the way for a technological transformation that will help produce food sustainably for generations to come.” 

Executive director of agriculture at Innovate UK, Katrina Hayter, said the competitions for funding demonstrate the “sheer breadth and quality of innovation within the UK agri-food space”.

“We’re proud to be able to help deliver these funding and partnership opportunities to the sector, bringing together farmers, growers, technologists and researchers in a common aim of making the UK food system more sustainable and resilient. 

“Whether improving existing production or introducing novel foods and techniques, the winners have all risen to the innovation challenge and we look forward to supporting their development further.”

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The UK government has announced changes to the payment rates for upland farmers in environmental land management schemes (ELMs).

These changes include making payment rates equal to lowland farms where farmers are carrying out the same actions – leading to increased rates for upland farmers in four Countryside Stewardship options.

The government also announced the reviewing and amending of a further seven Countryside Stewardship options with the aim of making them “more accessible to upland farmers”.

Finally, the government has said it is also improving engagement with the country’s upland farmers, with focused advice and support to help them access the amended schemes.

The government said the changes were made following feedback from farmers and industry representatives, and that it hopes to “support them as sustainable food producers and custodians of England’s most-loved landscapes for years to come”.

“Upland farmers play a vital role in keeping the nation fed while protecting the environment, and government is committed to making sure that their interests are protected and represented in the new faming schemes being delivered now that Britain has left the EU and is free from the bureaucratic Common Agricultural Policy,” the government said.

Upland farmers

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he wished to “pay tribute” to the country’s upland farmers, who “not only deliver some of our finest produce, but also act as the guardians of some of our country’s most iconic landscapes”.

“As we work to deliver a fairer, more sustainable farming system outside the EU, we are determined to make sure their interests are at the heart of these efforts.

“That’s why we’ve set out a range of new support to ensure that they feel the benefits of our new schemes for years to come.”

Secretary of State for Food and Farming, Thérèse Coffey, said the uplands are a hugely important part of the English landscape and heritage and its farmers are crucial for the rural economy.

“We’ve worked closely with upland farmers from day one, and they’ve told me personally what further support they need, so today we’re further responding to their feedback with increased payments, an improved offer and more engagement to ensure they are at the centre of our schemes,” she said.

The government said the changes will support the delivery of its pledge to ensure there is “something for every type of farmer” in the new schemes, as direct land-based payments are phased out.

Rewarding farmers for low inputs on grasslands in upland areas, which previously earned farmers £98/ha, will increase to £151 – the same payment farmers elsewhere receive, it said.

At the upper end of the scale, creation of upland wood pasture will increase from £333/ha to £544 to align payments for upland and lowland farmers. 

Following feedback from farmers, there will also be improvements made to existing offers within Countryside Stewardship, the government said, with details to follow as part of the full 2024 offer in the summer. 

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The Welsh government has today (Thursday, May 25) announced higher payments rates for farmers that create woodland.

It is calling on farmers in Wales to help tackle the climate emergency by planting trees, and hopes the higher payment rates will incentivise them to do so.

The payment rates will be uplifted to pay 100% of 2023’s actual costs as part of the Welsh government’s drive to plant 86 million trees by the end of the decade.

Climate Change Minister, Julie James, said trees are a lifeline in the climate emergency and, by planting trees, greenhouse gases will be removed from the atmosphere through carbon storage.

“Earlier this year, we spoke to the farming and forestry sectors to better understand potential blockers to woodland creation,” she said.

“Payment rates were an issue; we listened and are very pleased to confirm a substantial uplift today – we will now keep the rates under review, particularly while inflation remains high.”

Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths said the Welsh government wants to work with farmers on the principle of “the right tree in the right place”.

“Planting trees can also become an asset over time – such as by providing shelter for livestock or income from the timber,” she said.

“Funding is available now and the higher rates should make it a more attractive proposition to farmers.

“We would encourage farmers throughout Wales to take advantage of the support now both in terms of funding and guidance, so we can all play our part in tackling the nature and climate emergencies, and help secure the sustainable future for the industry.”

Woodland creation grant

The Woodland Creation Grant scheme requires a Woodland Creation Plan in advance.

The scheme offers funding as follows:

• Tree planting including a new native biodiversity option planting at 1,100 trees/ha;
• Fencing at an increased rate from £3.48/metre to £5.56/metre;
• 12 years of maintenance and premium payments;
• Gates for access and to maintain the tree planting;
• No loss of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

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The second round of the Landscape Recovery scheme will see the introduction of a food production criterion for the first time.

Announcing the change today (Thursday, May 18), the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said it will be used to ensure projects take food production into consideration to avoid any negative impacts on this where possible.

The Landscape Recovery scheme sees farmers and landowners receive funding from a share of £15 million to create new habitats for wildlife, help protected sites and boost net zero efforts.

The second round of the scheme will now support up to 25 projects, compared to the first round’s 22, and will be administered by Natural England and the Environment Agency – lead delivery partners for the scheme.

It will focus on projects of at least 500ha which could include landscape-scale projects creating and enhancing woodland including temperate rainforest, peatland, nature reserves and protected sites.

Defra Secretary Thérèse Coffey said the second round of the scheme will “help more farmers and land managers take collective action through involvement in bespoke projects that will make a real difference in reaching net zero and supporting valuable habitats, while continuing to support sustainable food production”.

Chair of Natural England, Dr. Tony Juniper, said: “Agriculture has a huge role to play in nature recovery, ensuring that a thriving natural world is at the heart of sustainable food production.

“Landscape Recovery encourages farmers and land managers to transform nature at a landscape scale and Natural England will use its advice and relationships to support them every step of the way.”

Juniper said he hopes that the scheme will see farmers and land managers join forces to make progress towards the statutory nature targets and providing the food and and public goods that the UK depends on.

A ‘key opportunity’

Chair of the Environment Agency, Alan Lovell, said the second round of the Landscape Recovery scheme presents a “key opportunity” for farmers and land managers who want to focus more on ambitious land-use change and habitat restoration.

Lovell said the round one projects of the scheme, launched in September of 2022, are “already showing great promise”.

“This second round of Landscape Recovery will take us further down the track toward becoming a nation that is resilient to climate change and rich in ecological diversity,” he said.

Defra said the second round of the scheme aims to build on the success of the first round, which was “oversubscribed with high quality applications”.

The 22 projects selected for the first round, the department said, focus on recovering and restoring England’s threatened native species and restoring England’s streams and rivers by improving water quality, enhancing biodiversity and adapting to climate change.

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Over two-thirds (67%) of British farmers are not confident about the future of British food production, according to a new survey.

The survey, conducted by agri-tech business Hectare, involved over 500 livestock and arable farmers in the UK.

The farmers had improvement doubts related to all aspects of the UK’s food production industry, including food inflation, government support schemes and high input costs.

Only one in 10 livestock farmers predicted production to increase as inflationary pressures ease, and a further 14% of beef, sheep and poultry farmers are concerned inflation rates will rise even higher than their recent peak.

26% of livestock farmers and 33% of grain farmers said the lack of clarity around new government support scheme replacing the EU Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was their biggest concern.

Additionally, 12% of all farmers surveyed said they are “worried” about the ending of the EU BPS, with 15% of grain farmers in particular concerned about difficulties in forecasting their cashflow over the next year.  

Co-founder of Hectare, Andrew Huxham, said the lack of confidence farmers have for the future of food production is unsurprising given the current issues the sector is facing.

“It’s not surprising British farmers lack confidence in the future of food production – it’s been an uncertain few years for everyone involved,” he said.

“Undoubtedly, many are feeling vulnerable post Brexit now the EU Basic Payments Scheme – seen by many as a base income which helps them weather the peaks and troughs inherent in agriculture – is being phased out.

“Trade deals with countries like Australia and Canada have also raised questions around fairness for British farmers, and how to secure quality and provenance when sourcing large quantities of our produce from overseas.” 

Food production

Huxham urged farmers to not lose hope yet, as he said he does see cause for greater farmer confidence in the UK’s ability to produce food in the future.

“UK farmers should be confident about the future – good food production requires a real desire to produce quality food in a sustainable way that enhances the environment, and farmers are doing a really good job of this already,” he said.

“British farmers are very aware of the fragile environment and decline of species and habitats which has occurred over the decades – they care deeply about the environment and know there are more ways to increase sustainability measures to secure the future of domestic food production, while protecting and enhancing the environment for future generations.” 

Hectare said this desire to increase sustainability measures to secure the future of food production is already being reflected in the “ever-increasing” consumer awareness of where their food comes from and its environmental impact.

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South Yorkshire Police has appealed to those living in rural communities to help their local farmers protect their livestock after recent cases of sheep worrying by dogs.

The force’s rural crime officers asked that those in rural communities help “take actions against irresponsible dog owners who are posing a risk to local livestock” after they reported that a sheep was recently chased and dragged into a river by its neck.

Officers said they were called to reports of a bull terrier-type dog chasing and causing distress to sheep at Langsett Reservoir.

Rural and wildlife crime officer PC Paul Jameson said Langsett’s features and beauty are being overshadowed by people’s irresponsibility which is “causing animals to become seriously injured or lose their lives”.

“We have recently publicised, encouraged and provided signage around rural areas to ask that people walking their dogs keep them on a lead around livestock and moorlands,” he said.

“There is signage at Langsett and on many farms close by reminding dog walkers of this and the consequences.

“The injuries that sheep suffer from dogs is completely avoidable. These incidents also put the lives of unborn lambs at risk, as well as potentially leaving young lambs with no mother.

“This is not to mention the loss to the farmer and the distress of those who witness these attacks.”

Livestock worrying

South Yorkshire Police said it is pleading with rural communities after this incident was the second in two days related to sheep being attacked by dogs.

The force also issued a reminder to dog owners that allowing a dog to worry or attack livestock is a criminal offence under the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Act 1953 and that landowners have the authority to shoot and kill dogs that are worrying their livestock.

Dog owners can also have their dog seized and face up to £1000 in costs.

“I am urging you to put your dog on a lead around livestock and keep to the designated paths, but also call out those who are posing a risk,” Jameson said.

“If you are aware of someone who lets their dog worry sheep, or if you witness an incident please share as much information about dog and their owner to us.

“We are so fortunate to have such beautiful landscape and it’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure it’s safety.”

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A new quality assurance scheme to help improve the “traceability” of wild venison has been launched in England, Northern Ireland and Wales.

The new scheme, along with an existing Scottish scheme, aims to increase buyer confidence and support woodland management of wild deer in the countryside.

The UK government believes the new quality assurance scheme will enable the industry to demonstrate best practice for food production.

The aim of the wild venison quality assurance scheme is to ensure that a set of audited standards are met throughout the supply chain – from forests to the processing chain, to supermarket shelves. 

Successful applicants to the new scheme – including venison producers and processors – will support the development of a “wider, more robust marketplace” for British wild venison, according to the government.

UK Forestry Minister,Trudy Harrison, said:

“We must develop ways to manage deer more sustainably if we are to meet our tree-planting targets and protect our precious woodlands and biodiversity.

“This announcement is an important step towards achieving that aim and creating a thriving market for British wild venison.”

Applicants have been advised that they must be able to demonstrate that they comply with all of the requirements set out in the scheme.

These includes ensuring carcasses are handled correctly, premises are registered as food businesses with the local authority, and that standards expected for producing food are met in line with relevant regulations and best practice.

The government hopes that the first quality-assured meat badged under this scheme will go on sale next year.

The new scheme is a cross-sector initiative that has been developed by:

• Forestry Commission;
• Grown in Britain;
• Forestry England;
• Natural Resources Wales;
• National Game Dealers Association;
• British Association for Shooting and Conservation;
• British Deer Society;
• National Gamekeepers Organisation.

Richard Stanford, chief executive of the Forestry Commission, believes a healthy native wild deer population, that is in balance with its ecosystem, will allow woodland to flourish and support biodiversity.

“However where there are high-density populations of wild deer these can negatively impact the establishment, growth and biodiversity of woodland,” he also warned.

Stanford added:

“Deer therefore must be managed as part of sustainable forestry in England which will also support the development of the wild venison market as a healthy meat.

“Boosting confidence in the British venison market encourages deer management and is a sustainable alternative to fencing and plastic tree guards in the landscape.”

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Some farms could be better off under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and could justify a transition to regenerative farming, according to GSC Grays.

The rural land and property specialist has calculated that SFI payments could exceed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments (£232.22/ha in 2020).

However, it said, businesses must already manage the land within a regenerative system or be prepared to make the necessary investments and changes to their farming operations to achieve this.

This will include:

• Incorporating cover crops and companion crops within arable rotations;
• Widespread use of legumes within improved grassland;
• Not applying insecticides;
• Investment in precision farming equipment;
• Adoption of a no-till system;
• Establishment of environmental buffer strips and plots.

On February 3, 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced six additional standards for SFI and provided an indication of payment rates for a further four standards available in the summer of 2023.

GSC Grays compiled a table to show what this means in practice, for a 200ha mixed farm comprising 100ha of arable land, 70ha of improved grassland and 30ha of unimproved grassland with an extensive application of the SFI standards.

GSC Grays said the information and figures in the table are assuming options are maximised where possible.

Also, average payment rates for some standards will vary by farm, it said, as standards combine a variety of payment rates and ambition levels, resulting in varying averages.

Regenerative farming

Jamie Charlton, GSC Grays farm business consultant, said that up until now, the payment rates released by Defra to encourage the transition to a regenerative farming model have not provided sufficient financial incentive to justify making the switch.

“We expect to see an increase in businesses questioning whether their current farming system is the most profitable and sustainable within the new support payment structure,” he said.

“We would stress that the cost of applying these transitions will vary by farm.

“Nevertheless, costs must be evaluated against the possible cost-savings achieved such as reduced consumption of fuel and fertiliser as well as the benefits of improved soil health on factors such as water retention.”

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The application window for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the claim window for existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue and Environmental Stewardship (ES) agreements have been opened today (Tuesday, March 14) by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).

Direct payments, currently paid through BPS, are being steadily phased out through to 2027 as the government introduces the Environmental Land Management schemes.

As part of this process, the UK government plans to replace BPS with delinked payments based on a farmer’s average BPS payments for the 2020 to 2022 scheme years.

The payments will be reduced each year as they are phased out and farmers must claim and be eligible for BPS payments in the 2023 scheme year to receive delinked payments for 2024 to 2027.

All farmers must submit a claim or annual declaration for CS and ES to receive payment for works carried out in 2023.

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said: “I know the importance of cashflow to rural businesses at this time.

“I am pleased that we have continued to achieve a strong performance to help farmers deliver sustainable food production alongside environmental actions to enhance and support nature.

“I encourage all eligible farmers to submit their applications and claims as soon as possible to ensure that no one misses out.”

Last year, BPS advance payments were made in the summer for the first time with the aim of helping farmers with their cashflow, with balance payments made from December.

This change to the BPS payment cycle will continue and this year advance payments of around 50% of the total will be made from the start of August 2023.

Cross compliance will end after the 2023 scheme year and will not apply to delinked payments, although the vast majority of strong legal standards for the environment and animal health and welfare will continue and these will be enforced in a fair and proportionate way, the government said.

For 2023 the RPA has supplemented the existing online claim process for CS with a more straightforward annual declaration option in cases where no changes are required, it said.

This will be available in the rural payments service, with farmers able to generate and submit an automated revenue claim without needing to complete each section of the claim form.

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More than £168 million will be available to farmers through 16 different grants and competitions around research and innovation this year.

The grants will be delivered through the Farming Innovation Programme (FIP) and the Farming Investment Fund (FIF).

There will also be new dedicated funding for annual vet-led health and welfare checks for livestock and money to support farmers in implementing improvements following these visits, via the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

Speaking at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference in Birmingham today and tomorrow (February 21-22), Farming Minister Mark Spencer will set out how the grants will drive the development of new technology and innovative ways of farming, with a focus on practical solutions that advance food productivity and deliver significant environmental and animal welfare benefits. 

“The role farmers play in putting food on our tables as well as looking after our countryside is crucial,” Minister Spencer said.

“We know that sustainable food production depends on a healthy environment, the two go hand in hand.  

“Helping farms invest in new technology as well as bringing in nature-friendly schemes will support the future of farming.”  

The government has also confirmed that it plans to introduce funding to promote enhanced productivity, innovation and improved animal health and welffare in smaller abattoirs.

“If farming is to flourish then we need to get the fundamentals right – abattoirs are key to the food supply chain and there is clearly a need to support smaller providers in this area,” Minister Spencer added. 

“The availability of funding will help abattoirs to invest in new technology and improve productivity and animal health and welfare, allowing our agriculture sector to get its high-quality produce to market.”  

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Six new standards have been introduced to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme, meaning farmers can now choose from nine actions to get paid for in 2023.

When the SFI – which is the UK government’s post-Brexit answer to the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) – was introduced in June 2022 it began with three actions, called ‘standards’, that farmers can undertake to get paid through the scheme.

These first three standards are: The improved grassland soils standard and arable and horticultural soils standard, both offering payments rates for introductory and intermediate levels, and the moorland standard, offered at introductory level.

Now, in 2023, the following standards join the list:

• Hedgerows standard - farmers will be paid to assess the condition of hedgerows and manage them in a way that will work for wildlife and improve biodiversity;
• Improved grassland standard - farmers will be paid for actions such as taking grassland out of management, managing grassland for winter bird food and establishing and maintaining buffer strips at the edge of fields – helping wildlife and biodiversity; 
• Low input grassland standard – farmers will be paid to manage low input grassland to improve biodiversity, soil management and water quality;
• Arable and horticultural land standard – farmers will be paid for actions including establishing and maintaining areas of nectar-rich flower mix; establishing and maintaining flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips; providing winter bird food; establishing and maintaining grassy field corners and blocks; and establishing and maintaining buffer strips;
• Integrated pest management standard – farmers will be paid to carry out an assessment and produce an integrated pest management plan; establishing and maintaining flower-rich grass margins, blocks, or in-field strips, including payments for not using insecticides and for planting companion crops;
• Nutrient management standard – farmers will be paid to make an assessment and produce a report of their management of nutrients, helping to encourage them to understand how they are managing nutrients and to take further action to deliver environmental benefits (e.g. optimise the use of fertilisers to limit excess nutrients flowing into watercourses). In addition there are payments for those who incorporate legumes into the crop and grassland management.

As farmers are able to upgrade their SFI agreements annually, those already participating in the scheme can add new standards into their agreements.

More standards under the SFI are expected in the future, with the full offer due to be in place by 2025.

The low input grassland standard, improved grassland standard and arable and horticultural land standard were originally set to be introduced in 2024, however it has been brought forward to help farmers.

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Thérèse Coffey, who today (Thursday, January 26) set out these new actions, commented:

“Farmers are at the heart of our economy – producing the food on our tables as well as being the custodians of the land it comes from.  

“These two roles go hand-in-hand and we are speeding up the roll out of our farming schemes so that everyone can be financially supported as they protect the planet while producing food more sustainably.”  

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The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) paid out around 107,000 eligible claims in 2022 totalling £1 billion, on top of £679 million that was issued for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) advances earlier in the summer of 2022.

This total represents 98.4% of eligible claims to the BPS, which is up slightly from 98.3% in 2021; 73.6% of claims to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CS) revenue (up from 61.9%); and 76.5% of claims to the Environmental Stewardship Scheme (ES) (up from 64.8%) in 2022.

The agency said that these payments help farmers “deliver food security through sustainable food production alongside environmental actions to enhance and support nature”.

RPA chief executive, Paul Caldwell, said: “2022 was a challenging year for farmers, and we have focused on processing applications, claims and getting payments into bank accounts which I hope has helped farmers deal with the issues they have faced.

“We want more farmers to come into environmental schemes and recognise the importance of being able to start on their agreements, so the improvements this year are important to be able to build on.  

“We know how important our work is to rural communities, so we’ll continue to work hard to help where we can over the next 12 months.”

2022 improvements

The RPA also highlighted the new schemes, services and improvements that were introduced to help the agricultural sector in 2022 and the knock-on effects they would have for 2023:

• Under the Farming Investment Fund, the RPA invited applications for three Farming Transformation Fund themes; Water Management, Improving Farm Productivity and Adding Value. A fourth theme, the Slurry Infrastructure Grant, opened in December and will run across 2023.
• The RPA made £25.7 million in payments in 2022 under the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund. The original £21 million budget for this fund was increased to £48.5 million following high demand for the scheme.
• The agency delivered a Lump Sum Exit Scheme for farmers who wished to leave or retire from farming. Over 2,100 farmers submitted eligible applications and to date payments totalling £5.8 million have been made to those who have evidenced leaving the sector.

From January 1, 2023, the RPA said all stewardship agreements have been moved to domestic terms and conditions and farmers with these agreements will “benefit from the new approach”.

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Ahead of the New Year on Sunday, January 1, 2023, farming unions from across the UK have called for change. From the implementing of schemes to enhancing food security, the unions have outlined what they want to see from the next 12 months.

The vice-president of the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), David Exwood, said the Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes have reached a critical point of delivery and 2023, specifically the month of January, will be crucial for the future of the schemes.

“It has been a frustrating time trying to get certainty from Defra [Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs] on the scope of the offer and the all-important financial elements in place,” Exwood said.

“It seems that the log jam of political decision-making is finally being lifted and all eyes now are on what seems to be a series of announcements in January.

“We really hope for ELM schemes that we see as much detail as possible in the coming weeks and that 2023 is truly the year of delivering the policies.

“We will hold Defra to account on ensuring that the schemes remain simple to operate on farm.

“It was encouraging to hear that Defra [has] a plan and much is promised in the new year. Communication of the detail to members is so critical, this has to be done by mail shotting every farmer in the country.”

Basic Payment Scheme

Exwood said a “critical concern” of his is the transition from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) to the new de-linked payment, with 2023 being the last year BPS will operate.

“Defra must help to avoid cliff edges in support that some could face, which I believe was never the vision when it came to the seven-year transition away from direct payments,” he said.

“The rolling out of the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway annual vet visits is mooted to be from January 2023. Like SFI [Sustainable Farming Incentive], it is being rolled out in a managed way.

“I would encourage all livestock farmers to have a look at this development as well as the grants that are also in the pipeline.”

President of the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW), Glyn Roberts, said he was grateful for the Welsh government’s commitment to “moving away from the English policies it had originally parroted, slowing down and placing family farms, rural economics and culture and food production on the agenda”.

“As we look over the border to England – where basic payments were slashed by more than 20% in 2022 but no coherent replacement scheme is in sight, and English NFU officials have warned of severe impacts for English farmers and food production – we can be thankful that the Welsh Government has listened to the FUW’s vociferous and robust lobbying,” he said.

Food security

Roberts said that the New Year provides governments with the chance to prioritise the right things, especially issues relating to food security and supply.

“In 2023 our politicians have the opportunity to reverse the trend of belittling the importance of UK food security and undermining the family farms that are the backbone of domestic food production,” he said.

“They now know that even a relatively mild pandemic can rapidly threaten local and global supply chains for key products, and that sudden extreme local events, such as attacks on major food-producing counties, can lead to global shortages of essential commodities that directly or indirectly feed our population and keep the heat and lights on.

“Whatever form new schemes in Wales (or for that matter, the rest of the UK) take, critical to the delivery of scheme objectives and the sustenance of family farms and food production, will be the budget made available by the UK and Welsh governments.”

Chair of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), Catherine Smith, shared the concerns of Roberts, adding that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine played a major role in the further de-stabilising of food security in the UK.

“As well as the profound human cost, a war on the European continent has highlighted the fragility of global food systems; the loss of so much Ukrainian grain and other produce has had a serious impact far beyond its borders,” she said.

“It [has] compelled us as a nation to look with fresh eyes at how we can ensure that consumers here can have a dependable supply of affordable, quality food, and how we need to support our farmers.”

The Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) called for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to implement “an agriculture policy which has a resilient food supply chain at its heart” in the New Year.

UFU president, David Brown, said: “The next 12 months could lay the foundations for a thriving food and farming sector where we are competitive both at home and abroad.

“We cannot ignore the challenges of this year, if we do, we will miss the opportunities of the next one.

“The government needs to continue to take action to prevent a situation where British food is replaced by food imports – imports which could fall way below our own highly valued standards of animal health and welfare and environmental protection.”

Bovine tuberculosis

Brown said the biggest threat to the agricultural sector and its ambitions for 2023 is bovine tuberculosis (bTB) and the “stranglehold” that it has on the Northern Ireland herd and farming families.

“I have lost count of the number of farming families I have met who have seen the future of their businesses thrown into turmoil, and in some cases, decimated by this awful disease ravaging through their herd,” he said.

“Words cannot do justice to the impact that the emotional strain caused by bTB has had on these individuals, to see their ambitions thwarted and much-loved animals culled because of the disease.

“It is utterly heart-breaking. The UFU will continue to put pressure on government to act upon the science and to fully implement its bTB strategy.”

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90% of claimants will receive their full or balance Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2022 payments tomorrow (Friday, December 9), Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has said.

Updating members of the Senedd, Griffiths said that over 14,400 Welsh farm businesses will receive payments worth £62.5 million, in addition to the £161 million paid as BPS advance payments in October.

“RPW (Rural Payments Wales) has once again made an impressive number of BPS payments at the start of the payment window and these payments will provide some financial certainty to farm businesses during these challenging times,” she said.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank industry stakeholders who have once again worked closely with my officials to deliver the excellent number of BPS payments.”

She added that her officials will continue to work to process the remaining outstanding BPS claims.

“I expect all but the most complex cases to be completed by June 30, 2023,” she said.

Beyond BPS payments

Also this week, Minister Griffiths announced that the retail sale of peat in horticulture is set end in Wales.

Her announcement followed a public consultation whereby 92% of respondents supported an overall ban on the sale of peat compost in Wales.

“The consultation showed strong support for banning peat sales in Wales and we will now work to implement a ban as soon as is practically possible,” Griffiths said.

“Our peatlands are iconic, and today’s (Monday, December 5) announcement will be key in protecting and restoring them for future generations and supporting the work of the National Peatland Action Programme.

“Carbon dioxide emissions from peat extractions has an impact on climate change and introducing a ban on the retail sale of peat in horticulture will make a real difference.”

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A survey, which was carried out jointly by the Country Land & Business Association (CLA) and Strutt & Parker, found that farmers were more interested improving soil quality and increasing biodiversity than signing up to farming schemes.

The ‘Future of Farming’ survey found that most farmers are enthusiastic about delivering public goods but remain cautious about schemes like the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and landscape recovery schemes.

The survey was answered by 198 landowners and managers in England online during June and July 2022 to get an insight into how people feel about the new schemes.

Concerns have been voiced about the slow uptake of schemes like the SFI, but the survey found farmers are much more open to taking steps to improve their environmental management and enhance nature than is sometimes portrayed.

The number of respondents who have carried out a carbon audit during the past three years was relatively low (23%), but 56% are already making plans to reduce the carbon footprint of their farming business.

Although the survey showed that only 40% of the respondents confirmed they have or were planning to enter the SFI within the next three years, nearly two-thirds have or intend to sign up to the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

When asked how likely or unlikely they would be to deliver a series of public goods with appropriate schemes and payments in place, 88% said they would be likely or very likely to take action to protect or improve soil quality.

82% said they would be likely or very likely to manage land to increase biodiversity – two elements of the existing SFI.

CLA president, Mark Tufnell, said: “This survey has provided useful insights into farmer and land manager attitudes to the environment and signals that while many farmers and land managers are focused on food production, they are still keen to take steps to protect and enhance the environment given the right policies and payments.

“The 40% intention to enter into SFI is encouraging. When asked why they had not entered SFI in 2022, the responses pointed to concerns about payment rates, but more frequently it was about waiting for more standards to become available or waiting to see if it would be a success.

“Only 2% said they were just not interested.  These findings support the CLA’s call to Defra to fast-track the launch of new SFI standards and provide early clarity on payment rates so that farmers and land managers make informed decisions about the scheme.

“Similarly, it is encouraging to see the level of interest in Countryside Stewardship. Defra should capitalise on this and ensure that the scheme remains available until the replacement Local Nature Recovery Scheme is ready for full launch.”

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New research from the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) aims to transform the online shopping platforms of supermarkets across the UK in a bid to boost red meat sales.

The recommendations for retailers include mock-up pages for their websites featuring messages to promote the taste and reputational factors of red meat.

The new graphics, which include a selection of animation and embedded videos, convey important messages around health, animal welfare and sustainability to reassure shoppers of their online purchases and increase red meat sales.

The mock-ups were generated in partnership with industry and incorporate learnings from AHDB’s new report ‘Reinventing online shopping’, which explores ways to overcome the barriers to buying red meat online.

Latest research from AHDB showed that more households in the UK are switching to online shopping, but red meat continues to under-trade both online and in shops.

According to the research, 60% of shoppers claim they find it harder to judge the quality of red meat online so they avoid purchasing it.

AHDB Retail Insight Manager, Grace Randall, said: “It is imperative that web pages contain the right images and product information to reassure shoppers.”

“Messaging on search results pages around meal inspiration, sustainability and vitamin and mineral content produced an uplift in purchase intent as well as improved perceptions of the meat industry.”

“Communication is also key when it comes to attracting shoppers to red meat pages and this should be done with messaging that is beneficial to the shopper personally, such as health through leanness, freshness and award-winning quality,” she said.

The research focuses on the homepage, search results page and product pages. It highlights the need to optimise search terms, the correct positioning of products, the right image, clear product descriptions and use of customer reviews.

Reinventing the red meat aisle

The new research follows on from AHDB’s ‘reinventing the red meat aisle’ report, which looked at ways supermarkets could revitalise their meat aisles to be more creative, innovative and inspiring.

Retailers have already adopted some of the recommendations in both reports, with Asda making changes to its webpages and Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose looking to optimise their in-store meat aisles.

Bradley Holmes, Asda’s online trading coordinator – meat, fish and poultry (MFP), said: “Following on from the reinventing online research conducted by AHDB, we have evaluated the messaging we have online and on our meat microsite regarding red meat.”

“Quality perception is key in MFP for Asda, so we have dialled up quality messaging alongside new health communication regarding essential vitamins and minerals naturally present in red meat.”

AHDB’s senior account manager for market development (retail), Stasha Napior-Kowska, added: “We are delighted that retailers have been so engaged with the insights from the research and that the key health messages are gaining cut-through in their customer messaging.”

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Sunak, who supported Brexit in the 2016 referendum, will replace outgoing UK Prime Minister Liz Truss who lasted just 45 days in the job.

The 42-year-old, who was previously chancellor of the exchequer, campaigned for and supported Brexit.

One of his key messages in his previous leadership race for the UK Prime Minister job was to “keep Brexit safe”.

During Sunak’s previous leadership campaign he also made no secret of his views on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

He claimed that CAP had done nothing to deliver for “farmers, farming and the environment” and described it as “indefensible that 50% of the budget went to just 10% of the largest landowners.”

Sunak has been keen to highlight his support for farmers and farming communities as a member of the UK parliament for Richmond (Yorks).

He has previously identified food security and food production as a key issue for the UK to focus on.

On his constituency Richmond (Yorks) website he states:

“Farming is vital to our rural economy and communities. From the Upper Dales to Great Ayton, from sheep to dairy to arable, through Auction Marts at Hawes, Leyburn and Northallerton, farming touches every part of the constituency.”

He said through visiting farms and auction marts and speaking with dozens of farmers, he had worked hard to understand the issues facing the farming communities.

Sunak has also encouraged people to directly support farmers by buying British.

“Food labeling standards should be stricter – when shoppers want to 'Buy British' they should 'Get British'. I will also support efforts to encourage businesses to source locally – this would be beneficial for local farmers.”

As part of his pledge “standing up for farmers” he also details on his constituency website that he wants to help farmers “capitalise on the great opportunities ahead having left the European Union and the Common Agricultural Policy”. 

“As global food consumption rises, efficient and competitive farms can grow and export around the world," he said.

"Farming is already a great British industry and I will ensure it has every opportunity to flourish in the years ahead.”

Now as the next UK Prime Minister farming bodies in the UK and Northern Ireland will be looking to Sunak to make good on these pledges.

But one of the first tasks that will face Sunak as he steps into the Prime Minister job will be to immediately address the ongoing political stalemate in Northern Ireland and the Northern Ireland Protocol bill, backed by outgoing Prime Minister Truss.

The bill currently going through the UK House of Lords aims to change the Northern Ireland Protocol, the protocol was designed to ensures that Northern Ireland remains in the UK customs territory while also aligned to a limited set of European Union single market rules to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Sunak has previously said that he believes the current Brexit agreement has caused economic and political harm and has called on the EU to be “flexible” in its ongoing discussions in relation to Brexit issues.

The next Prime Minister has adopted an almost hands-off approach to Northern Ireland in the past, he has visited only once and is not known to have any close working relationships with any political parties in Northern Ireland.

As former UK Prime Ministers will testify this may not be the case once he takes up residence in No. 10 Downing Street.

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Minister for Climate Change Julie James has today (Monday, October 3) confirmed that Wales is tripling its peatland restoration targets in response to the newly published Biodiversity Deep Dive.

“Today’s Biodiversity Deep Dive helps us urgently rethink our relationship with the natural world and how to make the next best choices which benefits us and the future generations of Wales,” James said.

“That’s why, with the Minister for Rural Affairs, we are tripling our peatlands restoration targets to boost our insect and bird life and bring security to our fresh water supply in Wales.”

James said that she worked with experts and practitioners over the summer to undertake the Biodiversity Deep Dive “to develop a set of collective actions we can take in Wales to support nature’s recovery”.

She said that reduction in “biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse” is the main target of the restorations.

In a statement from the Welsh government, the “vanishing of around half of Wales’ animal and plant life” was attributed to the loss of forests, the plundering of seas and pollution caused by human activity.

“If we give nature a helping hand, it returns the gift in the bucket-load,” James said.

“The United Nations has said that urgent action taken over the next decade will determine the seriousness of the climate and nature emergencies.”

James said that the prioroty of the Welsh government is to transform existing terrestrial, freshwater and marine protected sites.

She plans to do this by expanding and accelerating the Nature Networks Programme to help improve the condition and connectivity of protected sites and make them more resilient to climate change.

“We will raise the ambition set out in our National Peatland Action Programme, so that by 2030 the programme will be delivering at a scale capable of reaching the net zero 2050 target of 45,000ha of peatland restored,” she said.

Biodiversity Deep Dive

The Biodiversity Deep Dive set following recommendations:

• Transform Wales’ protected sites portfolio so that it is better, bigger, and more effectively connected so that plants and wildlife are able to travel and adapt to climate change;
• Create a network of Nature Recovery Exemplar Areas across a range of different semi-natural habitats and identify opportunity of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs);
• Increase the footprint of the Marine Protected Areas network;
• Unlock the potential of designated landscapes (National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty) so they deliver more for nature;
• Ensure land and marine planning decisions consider biodiversity and that good decisions are incentivised;
• Build a strong foundation for future delivery through capacity building, behaviour change, awareness raising and skills development;
• Develop and adapt monitoring and evidence frameworks to measure progress against 30 by 30 (the United Nation’s ’30 by 30’ goal, which aims to protect and effectively manage 30% of the planet’s marine and 30% of the planet’s terrestrial environment by 2030).

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The introduction of the Agriculture Bill to the Senedd today by the Welsh government is a ‘landmark moment’ for Welsh farming, says the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Cymru.

The bill was published today (Monday, September 26) and is the piece of primary legislation that will establish the framework for future agricultural policy. NFU Cymru believes it will “define farming in Wales for a generation or more”.

Rural affairs minister, Lesley Griffiths, announced the bill as well as the inclusion of legislation to support farmers, sustainable food production, and to conserve and enhance the Welsh countryside, culture and language.

NFU Cymru president, Aled Jones, said that, in terms of its potential impact on Welsh farmers, the bill is the most important piece of legislation that he has seen since the Westminster 1947 Agriculture Act.

“For the first time in our history this bill will give Wales the opportunity to implement its own food and farming policy, made in Wales for the people of Wales,” he said.

“It comes at a pivotal time for society with the importance and fragility of food affordability and security, both at home and abroad, being brought into sharp focus by the effects of the devastating conflict in Ukraine.

“It is clear that the disruption to food output, supply chains, availability and affordability of food could last for many years.

“This is why the bill, as a key objective, must underpin the production of a stable supply of safe, high quality, affordable food in Wales.”

The Welsh Agriculture Bill

This first ‘Made in Wales’ policy framework recognises the complementary objectives of supporting farmers in the sustainable production of food alongside taking action to respond to the climate and nature emergencies, contributing to thriving rural communities and keeping farmers on the land.

The Bill also includes the programme for government commitment for a complete ban on the use of snares and glue traps.  Wales will be the first country in the UK to introduce a complete ban.

Its main focus is sustainable land management which establishes a policy and legislative framework aimed at ensuring farmers can carry on producing high quality food and agricultural goods for generations to come.

The bill will introduce protection for agricultural tenants, ensuring they are not unfairly restricted from accessing financial assistance.

Speaking on the bill, Griffiths said: “This historic Welsh Agriculture Bill not only impacts the agriculture sector, but everyone across Wales, from the food we eat, to how it has been grown, harvested, stored and prepared for sale.”

“For the first time, we have the chance to build a system of support and legislation which works for our farmers, our sector, our land and our people.”

Griffiths credited climate change and rising costs, as well as new trade deals and the war in Ukraine, with making times difficult and challenging for Welsh farmers.

“This bill provides a framework on which all future agricultural support will be delivered and outlines how we can keep farmers on the land, produce food sustainably and deal with the climate emergency,” she said.

“I’m extremely proud of our farmers and the agriculture sector here in Wales. Through the provisions in the Bill, I want to ensure we can continue to support and encourage our farmers and producers to create and sustain a thriving agricultural sector.”

Griffiths will be making a legislative statement in Plenary on September 27, 2022. A copy of the Bill and its supporting documentation is available on the Senedd website.

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The National Sheep Association (NSA) is calling on the government to provide more support to aid the survival of small and medium-sized businesses relating to farming and food.

From agricultural seed companies to livestock processors, the NSA aim to highlight the issue of large companies dominating agricultural markets, compared to the many smaller firms that traditionally played such an important part in the sector.

The NSA credits this as the reason that many businesses close, and it references the recent closure of a 100-year-old Mettrick’s abattoir in the North of England.

NSA chief executive, Phil Stocker, said; “Although newly announced energy support packages will have come as welcome relief for many, the government must realise the ongoing severity of the situation, especially within the small abattoir sector.”

“During the period between 2019 and 2021, the sector has seen the closure of 14 abattoirs and already this year we have seen more added to that list,” he said.

“The largest 24 meat processing plants control 85% of the throughput.

“As an industry, there is a desperate need to support small and medium-sized businesses to ensure that there is a capacity and a service for rural locations at a time when interest in localising supply chains is growing.”

Stocker referenced the Government Food Strategy outlined in June, which had a range of aspirations to improve the food systems within the UK.

The chief executive reiterated the point in the food strategy outline that “healthy and sustainable food should be sourced as locally as possible”.

This, Stocker believes, is becoming harder and harder for communities “quicker than government policy can be enacted”.

“NSA urges the government to support and incentivise the investment in our own supply chain infrastructure before it is too late,” Stocker said.

“It is disappointing to see the disconnect in government farming schemes often incentivising diversification and local sourcing yet there is little to no action in maintaining the means to deliver these outcomes.”

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New support for businesses and public sector organisations facing rising energy bills in the UK has been unveiled by business secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg today (Wednesday, September 21).

Through a new government Energy Bill Relief Scheme, a p/kWh discount on wholesale gas and electricity prices will be provided for all non-domestic customers, including all UK businesses, the voluntary and the public sector.

The discount will apply for an initial six-month period on energy usage from October 1, 2022 to March 31, 2023. The savings will be first seen in October bills, which are typically received in November.

The discount will automatically be applied to bills of fixed contracts agreed on or after April 1, 2022, as well as to deemed, variable and flexible tariffs and contracts.

This support will be equivalent to the Energy Price Guarantee put in place for households, and customers do not need to take action or apply to the scheme to access the support.

The aim of the support offered by the government is to facilitate growth, prevent unnecessary insolvencies and protect jobs.

Rees-Mogg said energy prices have seen an “unprecedented rise” following the war in Ukraine, which has “affected consumers up and down the country and businesses of all sizes”.

“I understand the huge pressure businesses, charities and public sector organisations are facing with their energy bills, which is why we are taking immediate action to support them over the winter and protect jobs and livelihoods.

“At the same time, we are boosting Britain’s homegrown energy supply so we fix the root cause of the issues we are facing and ensure greater energy security for us all,” according to Prime Minister, Liz Truss.

Reactions

Minette Batters, the president of the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) said: “We welcome the detail announced today in the energy support package which will provide a much-needed cushion for farmers, growers and food businesses who are vulnerable to high wholesale energy prices.”

Given the package does not cover limits on standing charges, it’s essential the government continues to assess the full impact that energy bills will have on business confidence and production.”

Batters also called for clarity on what supports will be in place after the six month period is up, adding that farmers “simply can’t produce the food the nation needs without affordable energy”.

The president of the NFU in Scotland, Martin Kennedy said: “NFU Scotland has welcomed the publication of details on how hard-pressed food and farming businesses are to benefit from government measures to cap crippling electricity costs, and we will share these with our members to gauge the impact.

“This important intervention must be seen as the first step taken by the UK government, on behalf of all hard-pressed consumers, to provide essential support to underpin domestic food production, tackle inflation and the ongoing food security crisis,” he said.

“For the cap to be judged as effective, it must give all farming and food businesses confidence to go on, or food security continues to be undermined and prices at the shop shelf will continue to climb.”

CEO of UKHospitality, Kate Nicholls also welcomed the government’s announcement and said business owners “particularly welcome its inclusiveness – from the smallest companies to the largest – all of which combine to provide a huge number of jobs, which are now much more secure”.

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The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has today (Tuesday, September 20) published the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) entitlement rates for 2022.

For 2022, BPS payment rates for England are set in Sterling. 

The rates are the same as last year (2021) and are the rates that were used to calculate this year’s BPS advances issued earlier on.

Entitlement rates:

Those not in a severely disadvantaged area (SDA) will receive £233.30; those in a SDA (category SDA-Other) will receive £231.60; and those in moorland SDA will receive £64.

2022 BPS

From this year, BPS payments are going to be made in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agricultural Brexit transition period to help farmers with their cashflow.

Around 50% of the overall payment amounting to over £679 million was issued in the summer, with the remaining balance expected to land in farmers’ bank accounts from December.

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The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has today (Wednesday, August 17) announced more support for farmers to help them deal with the impacts of the recent and severe dry weather.

This support comes in the form of the temporary relaxation of rules in agri-environment scheme agreements, to allow farmers to cut or graze additional areas of land to help ease shortages of bedding, fodder, grazing or forage crops.

This will make it easier to provide vital food for livestock, Defra said.

The optional changes, which apply to Country Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship options, will come into effect from today and last until the end of 2022. From January 1, 2023, all options will revert to their original requirements, unless otherwise stated in the detail of the individual options.

A full list of the easements has been published by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), which includes guidance.

Commenting, chief executive of the RPA Paul Caldwell said:

“We know that farmers are facing pressures as they deal with the consequences of these exceptionally dry conditions, and we hope these practical steps will help farmers safeguard food production and help with animal welfare.  

“We are committed to supporting agreement holders as much as we can during this difficult period and help ensure that they can maintain existing environmental commitments.”

Environment Secretary George Eustice added that while the UK is more prepared for this dry weather than ever before, “many farmers are concerned about water supplies and the impact on their crops and livestock”.

“We are therefore introducing temporary easements on agri-environment schemes to give them the flexibility to respond,” he said.

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According to a new survey by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU), £22 million worth of the 2022 fruit and vegetable harvest has been wasted because of a labour shortage in the first half of the year alone.

Furthermore, as the survey represents around a third of the UK horticulture sector, the NFU estimates that the overall value wasted accumulates to more than £60 million.

The survey, of 199 growers across England and Wales, revealed that 40% of respondents suffered crop losses as a result of labour shortages. 56% of respondents reported a fall in production, and expect a further fall in 2023 of 4.4%.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw has said that this is nothing shors of a travesty.

“Quality, nutritious food is being wasted at a time when families across the country are already struggling to make ends meet because of soaring living costs,” he said.

“At the same time, the prolonged dry weather and record temperatures have created a really challenging growing environment for our fruit and veg.

“Every crop is valuable – to the farm business and to the people whose plates they fill. We simply can’t afford to be leaving food unpicked.”

The UK horticultural sector relies heavily on seasonal workers to pick and pack fruit, vegetables and plant crops across the country. Because of post-Brexit visa issues, and then the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions on border travel, sourcing these workers became a challenge.

UK farming unions, including the NFU, have lobbied for aid in this regard and the government’s response was the Seasonal Workers Scheme.

The Seasonal Worker visa allows employers in the horticulture sector to source overseas workers to do seasonal work for up to six months through an approved scheme operator.

According to the NFU survey, 63% of the 2022 horticulture labour workforce was recruited through the scheme. Furthermore, farm businesses expect 69% of workers to come through the scheme in 2023.

“With the demand on the Seasonal Workers Scheme expected to increase again next year, it’s vital the scheme has the capacity to facilitate the people the sector needs to pick, pack and process the country’s fruit and vegetables,” said Bradshaw.

“This means increasing the number of visas available to meet the sector’s needs and expanding it to a minimum of a five-year rolling scheme to enable growers to have confidence to invest in their businesses – particularly given growth in the horticultural sector is a government ambition set out in the National Food Strategy.

“This survey has demonstrated just how crucial it is for fruit and veg growers to have access to the workforce they need.

“Expanding the Seasonal Workers Scheme will play a vital role in enabling that access and ensuring we don’t see this devastating level of food waste next year.”

Earlier this month, on August 3, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced an independent review into labour shortages in the food supply chain.

The report and will be published in 2023 ​and the government response will follow.

“Labour is a key issue for British farmers and farming and this report will give the government vital insight into how to address it in future,” said Environment Secretary George Eustice at the time of announcement.

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The government has announced a £100 million allowance for communities which have suffered from repeated flooding to better protect their properties.

The £100 million Frequently Flooded Allowance will improve access to public funding for these communities, which are often smaller areas requiring more complex flood schemes, meaning that community-wide defences are not always viable.

The funding will be targeted at eligible communities where 10 or more properties have flooded twice or more in the last 10 years, helping to both accelerate existing projects and deliver new ones.

It is anticipated around 80 schemes will receive support over the next four years.

This allowance will be part of the government’s current programme of investment in flood and coastal defences.

The government announced in 2020 that the amount invested in flood and coastal erosion schemes would be doubled in England to £5.2 billion between 2021 and 2027, providing around 2,000 flood defences.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

“Flooding is a miserable experience, especially for people who suffer its impacts time and again, and I feel we have a moral imperative to help.

“Our new Frequently Flooded Allowance will boost schemes in areas which are hit repeatedly and reduce the risk of flooding in the future.

“This new allowance will provide extra support for these areas and forms part of our major £5.2 billion effort to build around 2,000 flood schemes by 2027 and level-up defences across the country.”
 
Sir James Bevan, chief executive of the Environment Agency, said:
 
“The impacts of climate change are becoming all too familiar both at home and around the world.

“While we cannot prevent all flooding, this allowance will help better protect homes and businesses at risk from repeated incidents.

“The Environment Agency has a successful track record in delivering flood and coastal defence schemes across the country, having better protected more than 314,000 homes from flooding since 2015.”

Communities will be selected through the Environment Agency’s annual refresh of the £5.2 billion capital programme – which sets out the latest information on each project in the programme and the amount of grant-in-aid allocated to that project in that year.

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Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) advance payments are now being issued to farmers and will reach bank accounts in the coming weeks, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) announced today (July 19).

In May, Environment Secretary George Eustice announced that payments would be made in two instalments each year for the remainder of the agricultural transition period to help farmers with their cashflow.

Around 50% of the overall payment will be issued from July with the remaining balance expected from December.

Paul Caldwell, chief executive of the Rural Payment Agency, said:

“We know that cashflow during the summer season can be concerning for many farm businesses, particularly this year due to issues exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

“I’m pleased to confirm that we have started to make advance BPS payments to farmers, and expect to issue the majority of payments by the end of July.

“These twice-yearly instalments are a permanent change to bring BPS in line with what will be a more regular payment system under the new environment land management schemes.”

The RPA expects the large majority of farmers to receive their BPS advance in the coming weeks.

A small number of claims will require additional checks, which will take longer to process. The agency will be in touch with affected farmers.

Advance payments will be approximately 50% of the total, and Lump Sum Exit Scheme applicants who have claimed BPS in 2022 will also receive an advance payment.

The proportionate amount of progressive reductions will be applied to both the advance and balance payments.

All farmers should make sure the RPA has their up-to-date bank account details. Once a payment has been made, a remittance advice is sent in the post confirming the amount paid.

When the balance payment is made, from December, a claim statement will be sent to explain how the 2022 payments have been worked out.

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Minister for Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths has published the Welsh Government’s proposals for the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

The Sustainable Farming Scheme will replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in Wales. There is no set date for its introduction yet, although the BPS is believed to remain in place until at least the end of 2023.

The proposals published yesterday (Wednesday, July 6) have been shaped by farmers and stakeholders who responded to previous consultations and from the first phase of co-design.

However, this is not the final scheme, and another consultation, on the final proposals, will be run next year.

“Over the coming months, we will be seeking the views of as many farmers and stakeholders as possible through surveys and workshops,” said Griffiths.

“We had a fantastic response to our first phase of co-design and I would like even more farmers to get involved in this second phase.”

What does it include?

Overall, the scheme outlines how farmers will be rewarded for the actions they undertake to deliver positive social, environmental and economic outcomes

This is somewhat similar to the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in England, whereby farmers are rewarded for actions they take, beyond mandatory measures, to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way.

The Sustainable Farming Incentive is the England’s post-Brexit answer to the European Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP’s) BPS.

Griffiths said that some actions farmers may be rewarded for under the SFS include working with farmers to help them adapt to changes in the environment or market, helping make the best use of their resources; supporting them to become more efficient, lower their greenhouse gas emissions and enhance existing carbon stocks through sequestration.

Payment rates

Specific details of the payments rates were not released with the scheme proposals, however we do know that a baseline payment will be made to farmers for undertaking a set of ‘Universal Actions’ which can be delivered by farms across Wales above and beyond what is required by legislation.

All universal actions have to be carried out by farmers who join the scheme. Advice and guidance will be available regarding these.

Examples of these universal actions include doing a once-yearly self-assessment against a minimum of sector and industry key performance indicators; having necessary biosecurity measures in place; carrying out soil testing at scheme entry; and collecting and recording data on Plant Protection Products used.

Additional payments will be available for farmers who choose to undertake ‘Optional’ or ‘Collaborative Actions, the later with other parties involved, i.e. land managers.

“I am encouraged by Welsh Government’s proposals that in return for undertaking a set of universal actions, farmers will be able to enter into the scheme and receive a baseline payment,” said National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Wales (Cymru) president, Aled Jones.

“We now need to carefully consider the practicality of these actions and how they could work to support productive, progressive and profitable farming systems.”

Overall, NFU Cymru seems pleased with the SFS proposals, as does the Country Land and Business Association (CLA.

Commenting on the SFS proposals, director of CLA Cymru, Nigel Hollett said:

“We [CLA] are pleased to see that many of our principles are contained within Welsh Government proposals.

“There is a focus upon farm economic sustainability which we see as vital in addressing the environmental issues Wales faces, they recognise the need for payment rates that go beyond income foregone and cost incurred, and they recognise that both maintenance and creation of environmental benefits needs to be incentivised.

“It is also good to see the commitment to five-year contracts which will provide long term stability for the industry.”

The full scheme proposals can be read on the Welsh Government’s website.

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The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) has today (Thursday, June 30) opened for applications in England.

It is available to all farmers who currently receive Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments, though it will eventually be open to all farmers.

For those with no other agri-environment agreements, they’ll be able to apply online straight away; for everyone else, they’ll be asked to let the Rural Payment Agency (RPA) know they want to apply and RPA will get in touch and support them to do so. 

This is to ensure that everyone receives the right level of service and support during this initial phase of rollout.

The scheme will open with two soil standards recognising the importance of health soil for successful farming and the environment, and a Moorland standard farmers will be paid to assess the condition of the Moorland as a basis for further action in future through existing and new schemes.

Farmers will receive their first payment three months after joining and will receive quarterly payments thereafter. There will also be no old-style application window, allowing farmers to enroll in the SFI scheme at any point in the year that is suitable for them.

Commenting, Farming Minister, Victoria Prentis said:

“The Sustainable Farming Incentive is designed to be accessible and recognises the importance of domestic food production to our national resilience.

“Farmers will receive payment within three months of their agreements starting, and payment rates are more targeted and less prescriptive than previous EU schemes.

“We want to support farmers with the choices they take for their farms, and I urge them to apply.”

Sustainable Farming Incentive

The Sustainable Farming Incentive is the UK’s post-Brexit answer to the European Common Agricultural Policy’s (CAP’s) BPS.

It works by rewarding farmers for actions they take, beyond mandatory regulations, to manage their land in an environmentally sustainable way – the aim of this being an investment in long-term food security through great foundations in food production with regards to healthy soil, water and biodiverse ecosystems.

Specifically in 2022, the SFI aims to encourage actions that improve soil health and there will be three standards available:

There will also be an additional annual payment of £6.15/ha for common land entered into a separate SFI standards agreement.

In the future, more standards will be introduced and farmers will be able to add these to an agreement, as well as increase levels and add land.

Standards will last three years.

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The 2022 farm payment dates in Scotland are to be brought forward to September 19, subject to approval of the Scottish Parliament, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has said today (Thursday, June 16).

This means, if approved, farmers and crofters will see their advance Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments issue almost a whole month earlier from the original planned date of October 16.

The decision to bring the payments forward is an effort to help farmers with cashflow and the cost-of-living crisis, and follows a request from farming groups in Scotland to relieve immediate inflationary pressures and protect jobs in the food and drink sector.

“Given the sharp rise in energy, fuel and fertiliser costs in recent months, I am acutely aware that businesses across Scotland are facing a hugely challenging increase in their bills,” said Secretary Gougeon.

“This is compounding the challenging operating environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the hard Brexit imposed on Scotland by the UK Government, which has inflicted significant and lasting damage on our world class food and drink industries, rural and coastal communities.

“That is why I have listened to the representations from the farming and crofting community and will bring forward the advance payment start date to as early in the year as is practicably possible.

“The intention is to support businesses, as far as possible, with immediate cashflow challenges.

“While the start date of payments may change, the target remains the same – to pay over 70% anticipated expenditure by end December 2022 and 95.24% anticipated expenditure by end February 2023.”

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The government is closing the plug-in car grant scheme to new orders after supporting the sale of nearly half a million electric cars.

£300 million in grant funding will now be refocused towards extending plug-in grants to boost sales of plug-in taxis, motorcycles, vans and trucks and wheelchair-accessible vehicles

The scheme has succeeded in helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone.

Battery and hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) now make up more than half of all new cars sold and fully electric car sales have risen by 70% in the last year, now representing one in six new cars joining UK roads.

Transport Minister Trudy Harrison said:

“The government continues to invest record amounts in the transition to EVs, with £2.5 billion injected since 2020, and has set the most ambitious phase-out dates for new diesel and petrol sales of any major country.

“But government funding must always be invested where it has the highest impact if that success story is to continue.

“Having successfully kickstarted the electric car market, we now want to use plug-in grants to match that success across other vehicle types, from taxis to delivery vans and everything in between, to help make the switch to zero emission travel cheaper and easier.

“With billions of both government and industry investment continuing to be pumped into the UK’s electric revolution, the sale of electric vehicles is soaring.”

Since 2020, the government has committed £2.5 billion to plug-in vehicle grants, infrastructure and the wider transition to electric vehicles in the UK.  

The industry is further boosting the switch to greener vehicles by expanding its range of more affordable zero-emission cars.

A total of 24 models are currently priced under £32,000, compared to just 15 a year ago, and the cost of monthly purchase and rental schemes has fallen significantly.

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Funding grants of up to £300,000 will be made available to farmers to help them boost their businesses and add extra value to their produce, Environment Secretary, George Eustice has announced today.

£30million from the Farming Investment Fund (FIF) will enable farmers in England to purchase equipment to process, diversify and add value to their products after they have been harvested or reared.

This could include premises and equipment for the preparation or processing of agricultural produce, for example turning milk into cheese or yoghurt, processing meat into sausages, and potatoes into crisps or chips; or equipment such as vending machines and display facilities for selling food direct to customers.

The funding will be offered in sums between £25,000 and £300,000.

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, said:

“We want to support the choices that farmers make for their businesses.

“We are spending around £600 million on farm-based innovation over the next three years, and the money announced today will support farmers across England with their investment plans, to improve their profitability and productivity.”

Eustice also announced that the first round of new Slurry Infrastructure grants, worth £13 million, will open later this autumn.

These new grants will help livestock farmers in England to upgrade their slurry storage and nutrient management systems and, in so doing, help reducing water and air pollution from slurry.

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A number of agricultural and rural organisations in Scotland have written, signed and sent a letter to government, calling for the dates of support payments to be brought forward to ease growing cashflow concerns.

In the letter, which was addressed to Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon, eleven organisations said they were “deeply concerned about the immediate challenges the farming and crofting industry is currently facing and the implications these will have”.

“Not only for primary producers, but also many upstream and downstream businesses that rely on agriculture as their customers and their suppliers,” they said.

While they “appreciate” that the Scottish government has already said it intends to make advanced Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Greening payments from mid-October, the input-cost inflation has since worsened and this measure may not suffice in helping.

Thus, their “collective request to bring forward payments as soon as possible is not a call for additional funding”.

“This is about the accelerated delivery of already committed resources in order that input cost rises can be endured and to help ensure the continuity of agricultural production at economically sustainable levels,” the letter said.

“The timing of payments to ensure cashflow within farming and crofting businesses is vital to the continuity of agricultural activity and food production.”  

Given the “urgency” of the situation, the organisations are looking for a quick response. Furthermore, they added that they are read to engage with officials on the matter.

The organisations and signatories of the letter are as follows:

1. Martin Kennedy, president National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland;
2. Robin Barron, chairperson, Agricultural Industries Confederation, (AIC) Scotland;
3. Grace Reid, Scottish region coordinator, National Sheep Association (NSA);
4. Kate Rowell, chair, Quality Meat Scotland (QMS);
5. Mark Tennant, chairman, Scottish Land and Estates;
6. Neil Wilson, executive director, Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland;
7. David Barron, chairman, Scottish Beef Association;
8. Peter Dawson, policy and sustainability director, Dairy UK;
9. Andrew Moir, chairman, Scottish Quality Crops (SQC);
10. Douglas Bell, managing director, Scottish Tenant Farmers Association; and
11. Andy McGowan, managing director, Scottish Pig Producers.

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The total Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) amount lost from the rural economy of the Great South West (GSW) area in England will be £883.7 million by the end of 2027, a new report has said.

The report, Assessing the impact of Agricultural Transition in Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset and Somerset: Research to inform future planning, looked into the impact of BPS reductions across the GSW area on a yearly basis and over a ten-year timescale.

It concluded the total estimated reductions for the South West, each year, to be £242.4 million. Broken down further, this constitutes a yearly loss of £51.6 million for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; £99.2 million for Devon; £38.3 million for Dorset; and £53.3 million for Somerset.

By adding these amounts deducted each year, the report concluded the total loss of BPS to the GWS area, between 2021 and 2027, to be £883.7 million.

Going forward

The report noted that it does not intend to highlight the amount of BPS lost to the GSW so that it is swapped for a similar-sized replacement, and it recognises that the future of sustainable farming won’t be built on the same old subsidy model.

With that said, the reality of what is happening is not well known, it added. And, by sharing this information, it aims to help a wider range of people and organisations to think proactively about mitigating the adverse impacts of BPS withdrawal on the farming community, business ecosystem and the GSW countryside.

Commenting on the report, National Farmers’ Union South West regional director Melanie Squires said:

“The scale of reductions in available funds to businesses laid bare by this report is considerable and can’t be ignored.”

Expressing concern that similar hits will be felt across Wales, Glyn Roberts, Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) president said it is “essential that the Welsh Government consider the evidence provided in this important piece of work”.

Developing and expanding existing and new initiatives that connect different elements of the agricultural sector with the wider rural economy is key to mitigate the environmental and economic impacts of these changes in the agricultural transition, the report concluded.

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The deadline for submission is midnight on Monday, May 16, to avoid any reduction or delay to payment.

Single Applications must be used to claim farm payments for any of the following schemes:

• Basic Payment Scheme (BPS);
• Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP);
• Regional Reserve Entitlement allocation or top up (as a Young Farmer or New Entrant);
• Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS);
• Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS);
• Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS);
• Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia);
• Small Woodland Grant Scheme (SWGS);
• Protein Crops Scheme.

Already, over 15,669 farmers have submitted their Single Applications in 2022.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is urging the remaining farmers to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Those who have not yet done so can submit Single Applications via the DAERA Online Services portal and there is plentiful guidance on how to complete the application online too.

EFS Higher Tranche 6

Another approaching deadline is that of the sixth tranche of the Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS) Higher Level. Applications for this must be submitted by Friday, May 13.

EFS Higher Level provides participants with annual payments to help with bringing Northern Ireland's most important environmental sites under favourable management and is for land with environmental designations, such as Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (ASSI), and other areas of priority habitat.

Interested parties can check if their land is eligible via the DAERA Online Services website.

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A new requirement for the forestry sector will be piloted to combat the threat from pests and diseases and further strengthen UK biosecurity, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Forestry Commission have announced today (Wednesday, April 20).

The Biosecure Procurement Requirement means that, from June 2022, applicants for funding under the England Woodland Creation Offer and the Future Farming Tree Health Pilot must commit to sourcing their trees from suppliers who are either accredited under the Plant Healthy Certification Scheme or who have passed a Ready to Plant assessment, as provided by Fera Science Ltd.

This pilot, which will run for 12 months from June, will enable suppliers to demonstrate that their operational practices comply with the industry benchmark Plant Health Management Standard, Defra said.

This standard includes protocols which are key to developing a robust plant-health management system and sets out practical requirements for suppliers to help protect the plant supply chain.

The overarching aim of the requirement, however, is to address risks to biosecurity and minimise the net loss to existing treescape.

Commenting, Prof. Nicola Spence, UK chief plant health officer, said:

“Our biosecurity standards are among the highest in Europe. As we build back greener, we must consider new and ambitious ways to not simply maintain these standards but further strengthen them.

“By leading the way with this new pilot, we are addressing the significant and increasing threat of pests and diseases and building a strong biosecurity culture across the country.”

Sir William Worsley, Forestry Commission chair, added:

“Our nation’s biosecurity will be integral to the success of our tree planting ambitions.

“This pilot will ensure that the forestry sector plays its role in upholding rigorous standards of biosecurity and in doing so, safeguards our much-loved trees and forests for generations to come.”

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The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) in its current form will fall far short of offsetting expected direct payment losses, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).

AHDB’s latest Horizon report examines in detail the pros and cons of taking part in the SFI at farm level.

The analysis shows that, at the current payment rates, most SFI standards will only provide a small financial benefit to many farmers when the costs of undertaken SFI actions are included.

However, those farmers who are already undertaking some of the actions required and don’t have to take land out of production will benefit the most.

SFI, which will be rolled out on a wider scale this summer, is intended to financially reward actions beneficial to the environment, against a backdrop of helping the industry achieve ambitious environmental targets coupled with reductions in direct payments in England.

Amandeep Kaur Purewal, AHDB senior analyst, said:

“It is vital that AHDB’s role as a provider of impartial evidence is recognised by policy makers to help shape and inform the new schemes as they progress.

“The government needs to ensure that all these schemes are attractive and appropriate for farmers across the board. Only then can the industry’s challenging environmental targets be reached.”

The report’s authors emphasised there was no ‘one size fits all’ approach and farmers should assess the costs and benefits of participating in SFI as part of a wider review of their individual farm business.

Purewal added:

“Farmers would benefit from treating environmental outputs like any other agricultural output within their businesses.

“If they became a top performer in terms of the efficiency with which they can produce these public goods, they will benefit the most from the current and future schemes.

“It is important that farmers consider the SFI within a wider review of their business in order to ensure they mitigate the loss of direct payments and remain profitable throughout the agricultural transition period and beyond.”

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The application window for the Lump Sum Exit Scheme has opened today (Tuesday, April 12).

It will remain open for just over five months until September 30, 2022.

The scheme, which is in its infancy, is for farmers who wish to leave the industry and exit the sector in a managed way.

Government will provide exit payments to eligible applicants based on the average direct payments made to the farmer for the 2019-2021 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) years.

This reference figure will be capped at £42,500 and multiplied by 2.35 to calculate the lump sum, meaning that farmers could receive up to around £100,000.

In return, farmers will be expected to either rent or sell their land or surrender their tenancy in order to create opportunities for new entrants and farmers wishing to expand their businesses.

Commenting, Environment Secretary George Eustice said:

“The decision to retire or exit the industry can be extremely difficult and is frequently postponed.

“The purpose of the Lump Sum Exit Scheme is to assist farmers who want to exit the industry to do so in a planned way that provides them with the means to make a meaningful choice about their future.

“The scheme will also free up land for new entrants to farming, and we will be saying more about our new entrants scheme shortly.”

Applications can be found on the gov.uk website.

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The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has today (Tuesday, March 15) opened the application window for the 2022 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

The claim window for customers with existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue agreements has also opened.

The deadline for submitting an application without penalty is midnight on May 16, 2022.

Farmers and land managers can continue to submit claims up until June 10, but penalties will apply.

Applicants can update personal and business information and view and transfer BPS entitlements and land parcels all through the Rural Payments service online.

2022 Basic Payment Scheme

The financial ceiling for the 2022 BPS has been confirmed as £1,845,156,000 – the same as England’s 2021 ceiling.

However, further progressive reductions will apply to each farmer’s 2022 BPS payment as the payments continued to be phased out and new schemes introduced for the post-Brexit era.

This means the overall amount spent on BPS 2022 will be less than the ceiling.

However, one commonality to last year’s payments is – hopefully – the rate at which claims will be dealt with.

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said:

“I am pleased that last year we paid over 98% of all BPS claims in the first month. This year we are committed to match this target, and ensure timely payments to all farmers and land managers – but we strongly encourage all eligible farmers to submit their applications as soon as possible.

“We will continue to build on our performance while also supporting farmers across the country to make the most of the opportunities arising from the transition to the new farming schemes.”

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Environment Secretary George Eustice set out his plans for the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway at the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) conference today (Tuesday, February 22).

The Pathway, which will launch this year, is a programme of financial support for farmers in the pig, cattle, sheep and poultry sectors, based on key animal health and welfare priorities.

As part of the programme, cattle, sheep and pig farmers who are eligible for Basic Payment Scheme funding will receive a free annual visit to the vet of their choice, to the cost of between £372 and £684 – depending on the species.

The payments rates are as follows:

• Pigs – £684;
• Sheep – £436;
• Beef cattle – £522;
• Dairy cattle – £372.

“Farmers will be able to have a vet of their choice, the family vet that they trust, and the government will pay between £372 and £684 depending on the species – because the cost of test is different – in order to support an annual visit from that vet to the farm,” said Eustice, speaking at the NFU conference.

The visit, which will be covered for 2-3 hours of farmer/vet time, will be bespoke. It will also involve testing for bovine viral diarrohea (BVD) in cattle, the drench test for sheep and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) in pig.

“It will remain confidential between the farmer and his vet and that vet will be able to help the farmer put together a plan for improved animal health and improved profitability on their livestock holding,” Eustice added.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has called this a “real win” for the opportunities to improve animal health and welfare.

Commenting on the launch, BVA senior vice-president James Russell said:

“Good relationships between farmers and vets have always been at the heart of improving livestock health and welfare and, as the Pathway rolls out later this year, we’re keen to work with our farm clients to really focus on the disease and welfare priorities for their animals.

“It’s also an opportunity to reach those farms that don’t currently engage a vet for proactive herd health planning.

“That’s a real win for the opportunities to improve animal health and welfare, both for the individual farms and more broadly as we drive down disease pressures across regions and work towards supporting sustainable animal agriculture.”

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway

The Pathway also includes measures such as reducing mastitis and lameness in dairy cattle; improving biosecurity to control pig diseases endemic to the UK; improving the feather cover of laying hens.

To help farming sectors make these improvements, Animal Health and Welfare Grants will be launched within the next year to fund investments, i.e. equipment and technology or larger projects like upgrading housing for dairy cattle to deliver improvements in lameness, cow comfort and calf mortality.

The Pathway also includes a disease eradication and control programme, which will allow farmers to apply for financial support to enable them to take measures to prevent and reduce endemic diseases affecting livestock, i.e. veterinary advice, vaccination or improvements to on-farm management.

“The Animal Health and Welfare Pathway is for those farmers who are in pursuit of higher profitability through better health outcomes, and it starts with an annual vet visit,” said Eustice.

Chief veterinary officer Christine Middlemiss also commented, adding:

“I hope to see wide-scale adoption of the Annual Health and Welfare Review as part of normal business practice, more farmers taking action to improve health and welfare, and improved outcomes when it comes to endemic diseases and conditions – which will improve animal health welfare and reduce waste, antibiotic use and financial losses”. 

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The Tenant Farmers’ Association (TFA) has expressed its grave concerns about tenant farmers in England being both unable to access new farm environmental schemes and being “pushed out” by landlords wanting to participate themselves.

Th association’s comments come after Secretary of State, Rt Hon George Eustice MP spoke at the virtual Oxford Farming Conference today (Thursday, January 6) providing details on the Local Nature Recovery (LNR) and Landscape Recovery (LR) elements of the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) being launched in England.

TFA chief executive, George Dunn, said “it is alarming that after more than three years of discussions with Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs), including through the debates which took place during the passage of the Agriculture Act 2020 through Parliament, that it has no clear plan on how tenant farmers, particularly those on Farm Business Tenancy (FBT) agreements, will be able to access these schemes”.

“Payments under the Basic Payment Scheme are being removed from tenant farmers in real time while we have a vague commitment for further work to be undertaken on how tenants (and those who use common land) can access schemes,” he continued.

It does feel like we are pushing water uphill given that we have already provided Defra with solutions which we urgently need to see implemented.

“We have been clear with Defra about our concerns on the extent to which FBT tenants will be both disenfranchised from accessing LNR and LR due to landlords refusing consent and also dislocated by landlords who may consider trying to access schemes themselves.

“We have said that the provisions in the Agriculture Act 2020 which allow tenants who occupy under Agricultural Holdings Act 1986 agreements to formally object to their landlord’s unreasonable refusal to allow access to ELMS to be extended to FBT tenants.

We have also called for a ban on landlords accessing schemes for at least 12 months after they have served notices to quit on their tenants.”

Dunn said the association is “chasing” for progress on agreements made between TFA and Minister Victoria Prentis last year.

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The amount received for the various funding varied widely, from an average of £500/farm for those claiming under the Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme, to an average of £66,600 for those making use of the Business Interruption Loan.

Around 4% of the farms represented by the FBS received support from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, with an average funding of £13,200/farm.

Cereal farms and horticulture farms were the most likely to use the scheme and, for those who did, the support related to around 5% of the total hours worked.

The Dairy Response Fund was a one-off payment to help dairy farmers facing financial difficulties as a result of Covid-19. Eligible dairy farms were able to claim up to £10,000, calculated on around 70% of their losses from actual milk sales during April and May 2020.

The average payment from the Dairy Response Fund was £6,400. It is estimated that around 200 farms in the FBS made a claim from the fund – about 3% of the dairy farms in the survey.

Around 18% of farms received support from the Self-employed Income Support Scheme Grant, with the highest uptake among grazing livestock farms.

Running from April 2020 until the March 31, 2021, the Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS) helped small and medium-sized businesses (generally these are ones with less than 250 employees) to borrow between £2,000 and up to 25% of their turnover.

Around 10,000 farms in the FBS used the BBLS, with the average loan received for all farm types of £40,000.  Just over a quarter of those taking out the loans were lowland grazing livestock farms who received an average of £28,900/farm.

Dairy farms received the highest average loan and the South West was the region with the highest proportion of farms receiving the loan (23%).

Table: Defra/Gov.uk/FBS

FBS survey

The FBS survey provides information on the financial position and physical and economic performance of commercial businesses in England. It covers all types of farming in all regions of the country and includes owner-occupied, tenanted and mixed-tenure farms.

In 2020/21, additional data relating to Covid-19 support schemes, grants and loans was collected, covering the period March 2020 to February 2021 – the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The FBS only includes farm businesses with a Standard Output of at least €25,000, based on activity recorded in the previous June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture.

In 2020, this accounted for approximately 56,048 farm businesses. The sample was slightly smaller as a result of Covid-19 restriction on data collection.

These results, as with all statistical surveys, are subject to sampling error, Defra note.

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In total, so far, £227 million has been paid into bank accounts of more than 15,000 farmers throughout Wales, including the £159 million already paid as BPS Advance payments on October 15.

This exceeds the number made in early in the payment window last year.

“I am pleased we have made an impressive number of BPS payments at the start of the payment window, which is in excess of those made last year,” said Minister Griffiths.

I introduced legislation at the beginning of the year which simplified the requirements of BPS for 2021. This resulted in a more straightforward application for farmers, a streamlined administration process for officials and allowed early BPS Advance payments to be made in October.

“This has been done while we all continue to operate in challenging circumstances brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic,” Griffiths added.

“I want to thank everyone, including those in the sector who have worked with us to deliver a more streamlined BPS which has helped ensure farms have received their payments in a timely manner.

“My officials are now working hard to process the remaining BPS 2021 claims as soon as possible.

“I expect all but the most complex cases to be completed by June 30, next year.”

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These payments cover the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS) revenue and Environmental Stewardship (ES) schemes.

The money has so far covered 97,500 claims, with more to be paid out in this first window, which runs until June.

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said:

“We know there is more to do and we understand the importance of these payments to the rural economy.

We understand that it has been a challenging year for rural communities, which is why we’re working hard to get payments made as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

Payments are being made direct to bank accounts via BACS transfer so farmers should ensure that the RPA has the most up-to-date account details on the Rural Payments service.

Claimants are also urged to remain vigilant against fraud.

Changes to payments

Direct Payments will gradually be reduced over a seven year period, starting from this Basic Payment Scheme year. The biggest reductions will initially be made to the higher payment bands.

The money will be repurposed for schemes which incentivise sustainable farming alongside profitable food production – rewarding farmers for actions that improve air and water quality, and protect wildlife and soil health.

In order to ensure that farmers are adequately supported throughout this journey, the farming resilience programme will be available throughout the first three years of the agricultural transition period to help those most affected by the phasing out of Direct Payments. This will help farmers plan and manage their businesses through the transition to the new system.

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Aim of Protein Crops Scheme

This is expected to create environmental benefits by reducing the need to import animal feed and the associated carbon footprint.

Hectares in scheme

• Spring beans - 593.17ha;
• Spring peas - 47.233ha;
• Winter beans - 23.17ha;
• Spring sweet lupins - 15.7ha.

He confirmed that 10 of the 80 farms submitting successful applications had received an inspection.

“The scheme will continue into 2022 with an available budget of £330,000. If more than 1,000ha are determined as eligible, then a linear scale back will be applied.

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This means that 97% of claimants will receive an automatic payment worth 70% of their estimated full claim value.

Other years, BPS payments typically begin from December 1. However, regulation changes made by the Welsh Government following the end of the EU Exit Implementation Period has simplified the requirements of BPS for 2021 and beyond.

This has allowed BPS Advance payments to be made prior to December to eligible BPS 2021 claimants, without the need to submit an application, as opposed to the opt-in BPS Support Scheme administered in previous years.

Full and Balance BPS payments for 2021 will commence from December 15, as agreed with industry representatives.

BPS

Subject to the UK government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the BPS is intended to run until the end of 2023, after which a new system will be introduced.

This new system will move away from income support for farmers towards a system that pays farmers for the environmental benefit they deliver.

“As we move to our new Sustainable Farming Scheme it is crucial we provide support to secure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the farming sector,” said Minister Griffiths.

Following the end of the EU Exit Implementation Period and through consultation, I introduced legislation which simplified the requirements of BPS and will provide early payments to the vast majority of farm businesses in Wales.

“Full and remaining balance BPS 2021 payments will be made from December 15, subject to full validation of a BPS claim and my officials will use the next two months to maximise the number of farmers receiving these payments early in the payment window.”

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'Farmers need to be equipped with the right tools'

As farmers, we need to be equipped with the right tools to be able to meet the growing demand for food both at home and abroad, whilst also protecting the environment and meeting the demands of climate change.

Farmers also need the government to grant them flexibility to give them the best chance to adapt a common policy framework to the different regional needs of farming across Northern Ireland.

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• Contribution to sustainable growth;
• Environment, Weather Resistance and Climate Change;
• Animal and Plant Health;
• Occupational Health and Safety; and
• Production and Resource Efficiency.

Changes for Tier 2 Tranche 2

However, a number of these were duplicates or for proposals which would be ineligible under the scheme rules.

Expression of Interest stage

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It states an 'Agri-Environment Package' will form a "central plank" within the overall portfolio of farm support measures, adding that financial incentives for the schemes must be "sufficiently attractive" to encourage large-scale uptake.

Under this approach, the environment will move to become a profit centre rather than a cost centre within the farm business for those who partake in the programme."

The document goes on to suggest market-led initiatives will also encourage better environmental sustainability on farms, and will allow the industry to capitalise on any market advantage that better environmental performance creates.

What might future schemes look like?

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Four key pillars

• Increased productivity;
• Improved resilience;
• Environmental sustainability; and
• A responsive supply chain.

For example, the reward of greater productivity is the more efficient use of finite resources and a lower environmental footprint. Producing higher-value products through product innovation can increase profit margins, resilience and environmental sustainability.

My ultimate aim is to ensure that Northern Ireland takes full advantage of the opportunity to develop a sustainable agricultural industry in which all farmers are supported on an equitable basis to make best use of the assets at their disposal, and to invest in all forms of capital - physical, environmental and human.

Consultation

Business as usual for many farms will not be an option. The future is about delivering both food and environmental outcomes in a sustainable way. Our farmers are up for the challenge and, indeed, many have already invested in green technology and embraced environmentally-friendly farming practices.

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We know that riparian (watercourse) buffer strips improve water quality because they reduce the risk of nutrients from manure and fertilisers and pesticide run-off contaminating watercourses.

Water quality measures in EFS Wider Tranche 5

Any land fenced off to create a buffer, if it was previously eligible for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), will retain that eligibility.

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Minister Poots gave a previous commitment to consider a compensation package and announced in July that he had allocated £2.7 million in support for those worst affected by the flooding. The decision to award the money had to be made via a ministerial directive - a mechanism to overrule department officials.

There is no doubt that it was a severely stressful time for those farmers, both financially and emotionally.

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Previously as part of the Review of Decision process, an independent panel gave its assessment of the case and made a recommendation to the department, which made the final decision without the minister’s input.

"My officials are working to put in place the necessary legislation, and a consultation document will be published shortly. The tenure of the current panel ends in January 2022, and the consultation document will ask for views on the make-up of a future panel, given its decision-making role.

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Concerns were raised that only written evidence was admissible and that additional evidence was not allowed to be brought forward at the independent panel stage.

There was also support for suggestions put forward by the Northern Ireland Agricultural Producers Association that applicants should receive mental health support.

However, the verdict remains out on proposals for a 'Supreme Agricultural Appeals Panel' put forward by those involved in the Barnwell Farms case, with the committee asking for more information on the viability and any legal implications of the proposal.

The letter signed by committee chairman Declan McAleer read: "The information provided to appellants during the appeals process, including at Independent Panel stage, should be reviewed to ensure it is more accessible, easily understood and has less legal jargon.

"New evidence ought to be admissible at the Independent Panel stage and the evidence in formats other than in written format ought to be admissible.

The decision of the Independent Panel ought to be final and historical cases where this has not happened should be reconsidered.

"There should be more support for the mental health and well-being of appellants throughout the appeals process.

"DAERA should engage with community and voluntary organisations such as Rural Support and health services such as GPs and sign-post appellants to these services, recognising that the appeals process can be very stressful and can have a major impact on mental health."

What is the Supreme Agricultural Appeal Panel proposal?

The applicant in the Barnwell Farms case argued he was selling the grass from his farm as a standing crop, and therefore, met the definition of an 'active farmer' in order to be granted Basic Payment.

The Independent Panel recommendation came out in his favour. However, this was overruled by the department. The applicant then took the case on to a Judicial Review, which again ruled in his favour.

The term 'SAAP' has been coined by those supporting the case, who propose setting a £1,500 fee for a legally binding review body to have the final say as an alternative to a Judicial Review.

However, members of the Agriculture Committee had previously suggested that should the decision of the Independent Panel be final, there would be no need for any new panel stage to be established, adding that further stages to the process could add to the stress of the appeal process.

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Current cases where the department has not yet issued a decision will now also be referred to Minister Poots.

Under current arrangements, where a farmer is dissatisfied with the department’s decision on their scheme application, they can ask for a review.

As part of the Review of Decision process, an independent panel will give its assessment of the case.

Currently, the Independent Panel hears the case and makes a recommendation to the department, which makes the final decision without the minister’s input.

However, the process has come under scrutiny following the Barnwell Farms judicial review – a case in which a favourable decision towards the applicant made by the independent panel was overturned by the department.

The changes will see DAERA continue to carry out the Review of Decision process. However, for cases that have been heard by the Independent Panel a recommendation will be provided to the department, with the final decision on the outcome of a case now to be made by the minister.

Announcing the change to the process, Minster Poots said: “As Minister for Agriculture, I know how important the payments my department make each year are to farmers and the wider rural community.

“It is important that these payments are correct. Where farmers are not happy with the decisions made by my department, it is also important that farmers have confidence in the review process.

“I recently requested that the Independent Panel be given decision making powers in reviews. This will require my department to make new legislation.

Until that legislation is in place, I have decided that, as Minister, I will take the final decision in reviews heard by the Independent Panel.

“I will look at recommendations coming from the Independent Panel and consider them carefully before reaching a final decision in any particular case.”

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The claim window for customers with existing Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) revenue agreements has also opened today.

Farmers are being encouraged to apply as soon as they are able, to ensure applications are submitted ahead of the deadline of May 17.

All applicants can quickly update their personal and business information by applying through the Rural Payments service, where farmers and their agents can also view and transfer their entitlements and land parcels.

Simplified BPS

A number of simplifications have been made to the Basic Payment Scheme this year, in order to reduce the burden on farmers as they focus on transitioning to the new system.

This includes important changes to cross-compliance, such as an increased use of warning letters and offers of advice over farmers receiving a penalty as the default response to a breach of the rules.

It was also announced earlier in 2020 that the greening requirements for BPS customers, which were “complicated and historically delivered little for the environment”, would be removed in 2021.

Rural Payments Agency chief executive Paul Caldwell said:

“I know how important cashflow is to rural and farming businesses.

We will continue our commitment to ensuring timely payments to farmers and land managers but would urge you not to leave things until the last minute.

“We will continue to build on our recent performance while preparing ourselves to supporting farmers across the country as we move towards a greener future,” he concluded.

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Details of the new programme – the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) scheme – were released today (March 10). Expressions of interest for involvement in the scheme are invited from Monday, March 15.

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said: “Change is always unsettling, particularly when it relates to relied upon money coming into farm businesses, but we’ve known for some years now that the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) would start to be replaced with a model of ‘payment for public goods’ and after a couple of years of focussed development on ELMS it feels good to finally get going.

There are two things farmers need to bear in mind – firstly we have a funding transition that will continue over the next six or seven years, and secondly, today’s launch is not the launch of a finished scheme but a pilot of the SFI – effectively level one of ELMS – that aims to work with a large number of farmers across England to test and adapt as necessary before wider roll out over the next few years.

“NSA has been working with Defra, alongside many other farming, forestry, and environmental organisations to get to this point and will continue to work intensely on this in the coming months and years.”

What does the new scheme look like?

Phase one of the SFI has eight ‘standards’ including improved grassland; low or no input grassland; grassland soils; hedgerows; arable land; arable soils; on-farm woodland; and water body buffering.

Cutting across these standards are three levels of introductory, intermediate, and advanced scheme that aim to provide something for everyone while encouraging good environmental practices.

Phase one of the incentive scheme is being launched now (expressions of interest over the next month, with applications invited in June), with phase two expected to be launched at the end of 2021, including standards for additional heritage features such as dry-stone walls and unenclosed grassland.

Defra is looking for a representative sample of several hundred farmers that are current BPS recipients to become part of the SFI trial.

The farmers can be part of existing agri-environment schemes but cannot use the same parcels of land for inclusion in the SFI.

In line with being a ‘learning pilot’, farmers will be required to do 15 hours of learning activity each month with learning aimed to inform future scheme development.

Those wishing to take part will need to complete a short, simple online form to submit expressions of interest in taking part in the pilot.

Successful candidates will then be invited to complete their application and, if eligible, they will enter into an agreement starting from October 2021.

Stocker added: “NSA has consistently made the case that farm support schemes have to recognise and reward what is already there rather than just pay for improvements, and it is well known that many sheep farms are already doing a good job in balancing productivity with good landscape and environmental management.

My hope is that the SFI will both reward existing good practice and encourage further gains so that the sheep sector can play its part in achieving net-zero, the protection of our soils, water and air, and nature recovery.

“For sheep farming, good environmental practices usually link closely with good animal health and welfare and we are working hard to make sure that the future Pathway programme and other Defra schemes link well together also.”

The post NSA warns Sustainable Farming Incentive is ‘not a finished scheme’ appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Welcoming the launch, Minister Lyons said: “I am pleased to announce that the 2021 Single Application and Map Service and Entitlement Transfer Service will open on March 1, 2021.

Entitlement transfer applications will be accepted up to May 4, and Single Applications for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and other schemes such as the Environmental Farming Scheme can be submitted up to May 17 this year without penalty.

Minister Lyons continued: “The farm payments made by my Department represent the single largest income for farms in Northern Ireland, and underpin the financial viability of the agricultural industry.

“These payments represent our continued commitment to farming families and the rural economy right across NI, following the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union.

“I am particularly pleased that we have been able to simplify the process for farmers in the first full year since leaving the EU, with the amalgamation of greening payments into the BPS and a change in entitlement values from euros to pounds sterling.”

From March 1, 2021, farm businesses and their agents can submit Single Applications and entitlement transfer applications via DAERA’s Online Service. The Entitlement Transfer Service will close on May 4, 2021.

Single Applications must be submitted online by May 17, 2021, to avoid a late claim penalty. DAERA plans to begin issuing full payments to farmers from October 2021.

The Single Application is the method for claiming any of the following schemes:

• Basic Payment Scheme (BPS);
• Young Farmers’ Payment (YFP);
• Regional Reserve Entitlement allocation or top-up (as a Young Farmer or New Entrant);
• Environmental Farming Scheme (EFS);
• Farm Woodland Premium Scheme (FWPS);
• Farm Woodland Scheme (FWS);
• Forest Expansion Scheme (Annual Premia);
• Small Woodland Grant Scheme (SWGS);
• Protein Crops Scheme.

Applicants are advised to allow adequate time to check all their information is correct and to avoid unnecessary penalties.

The Single Application and Map Service has built-in help and warning messages to assist farmers to complete their application.

Farm businesses should also use the Single Application and Map Service to notify DAERA of any changes to their land.

Guidance documents and ‘how to’ videos will also be available on the DAERA website.

The post Date set for NI’s Single Application window to open appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Farmers and crofters will have only 60 days from receipt of the notification to submit an appeal under the Rural Payment (Appeals) (Scotland) Regulations 2015.

The decisions only relate to 2020 claims, as any 2015 to 2019 issues are not addressed, since SGRPID have taken the decision to withhold information relating to that period.

Stewart Johnston of Galbraith in Aberdeen said:

“For many people this will be the first time that they have been notified of any reduction made to their payment or any land that has been deemed not eligible.

They may not have been aware that a reduction had been applied. To make matters worse, 2015 is the key year, as that is the year they established the basis for these entitlements.

“We would advise farmers to consider whether they agree with the basis of the decision that has been made and to act promptly if they wish to make an appeal.”

The post Farmers urged to be on the lookout for exclusions or reduction letters appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Tier 1 of the scheme supports smaller-scale investments to improve the sustainability of farm businesses – such as the purchase of equipment and machinery costing between £5,000 and £30,000 from a list of eligible items.

The scheme was set up to have a particular emphasis on businesses investing in Low Emissions Slurry Spreading Equipment (LESSE) with more points available for the measures that would have the biggest impact on farm emissions.

Farmers were encouraged to ‘underbid’ for the scheme after it became clear that demand would far exceed the amount of funding available.

More than 3,800 farm businesses stuck in bids ahead of the deadline on December 4.

Shortly before he stood down, former Northern Ireland Agriculture Minister Edwin Poots announced he would double funding for the scheme to £15 million.

Newly-appointed Agriculture Minister Gordon Lyons said: “I am delighted that Letters of Offer have started to issue for the third tranche of Tier 1 FBIS Capital.

I am very encouraged by the willingness of our farmers and growers to invest in the sustainability of their businesses, and particularly in Low Emissions Slurry Spreading Equipment.

“Not only does this fund immediately benefit farmers, it also has a lasting and positive impact on our environment, using up to date methods and technologies to help farmers develop their agriculture business into one that’s more sustainable and environmentally aware.

“It will also have a knock-on benefit for local agricultural and horticultural supply businesses and contribute to the NI economy.

“With £15million funding available for this tranche, Letters of Offer will continue to issue over the next weeks until the budget is fully allocated.”

What to do when you get your letter?

Farmers who receive a Letter of Offer should read it carefully and, if prepared to accept the terms and conditions of the scheme, must complete and return their Form of Acceptance within 28 days of the date of the Letter of Offer.

The scheme will be delivered by Countryside Services Limited on behalf of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Eligible applications were ranked according to the FBIS-C, Tier 1 (Tranche 3) selection criteria with the available funding awarded to the highest scoring applications.

Eligible applications were assessed against the following selection criteria:

• FBIS-C theme band;
• Value for money;
• Not previously been a successful applicant;
• Age of applicant; and
• Educational attainment.

When all offer letters have been issued, unsuccessful applicants will be notified along with details of the process to follow should they wish to seek a review of the decision not to fund their application.

Will there be a Tier 2 tranche 2?

Whilst a date has not yet been confirmed for opening a second tranche of Tier 2 of FBIS-Capital – the variant of the scheme designed to offer support to projects costing more than £30,000 – a spokesperson for the department confirmed the minister is keeping this under review.

“Any further capital support will take into account any further guidance developed by the department on ammonia reduction and mitigation, and would be subject to funding availability,” the spokesperson added.

“DAERA is working to develop a comprehensive and proportionate package of measures on ammonia and hope to consult on a strategy later this year.”

The post First Letters of Offer arrive for £15 million FBIS Tier 1 scheme appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

It comes amid calls for an independent panel to have the final say on claims.

Greyabbey case

DAERA’s two-stage ‘review of decisions’ process became the subject of controversy after a Co. Down farm owner was refused Basic Payment on the grounds the department had not deemed him an ‘active farmer’.

An independent panel took the opposite stance. However, that decision was overruled by the department. The case was then taken forward for Judicial Review, where a judge then ruled in favour of the farm owner.

The independent panel was established in 2001 with the aim of providing farmers with an impartial and transparent review of scheme decisions against the framework of EU and national framework and scheme rules.

The committee heard there have been 35 cases in the last three years where decisions made by the panel were later overturned.

Jason Foy, head of payments at DAERA, told the committee that work was underway to make changes to the review process but added that ultimate responsibility lay with the department.

“The committee will be aware that the minister has instructed that the independent panel should make the final decision in cases referred to it as opposed to a recommendation and we are currently undertaking some work to put that to effect which will require new legislation to be laid,” he said.

“It’s intended that will be brought into effect later this year.”

‘Not rejected lightly’

Foy explained that panel recommendations were not “rejected lightly or without good reason” and provided committee members with a copy of the rationale for each of the cases where this occurred in the last three years.

“Where a farmer believes that the department’s original decision regarding a scheme has been incorrect, the process offers the opportunity for redress,” he said.

The department remains the decision-making body, and cannot delegate the decision to a third party.

“As a paying body for EU and national funds, the department has a responsibility to ensure these funds are appropriately administered and they are within the scope of the scheme’s rules and legislation.

“Where the department receives a recommendation from the independent panel, we treat it very seriously, and give it a thorough consideration at all times and in every case.

We endeavour at all times to provide to farmers a high standard of customer service including clear and effective communication with applicants in the review of decision process.

Foy added that the cost of a claim has “never been a factor” in the department’s decision to reject a panel recommendation.

“Since the schemes are already fully-funded there is funding available to make payment against all claims deemed eligible.

“The department has only determined that panel recommendations can’t be accepted where this has been necessary,” he said.

Pending decisions not neccessarily a lost cause

Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin told the committee he had supported several farmers through independent panels in the past.

I was very frustrated when the department didn’t accept the findings of some those independent panels. It was very demoralising for the farmers involved.

“I had one particular farmer who just threw his hands up and said: ‘What’s the point?’ – a relatively small farmer and a young farmer actually,” Irwin said.

Irwin added he was aware of a number of cases where an independent panel had ruled in favour of the farmer. However, the department had still not made a final decision.

Responding, Foy said: “Our position up to this point, and I think might continue to be, that we need to examine the panel’s recommendations – because at this point they are still recommendations – to ensure that they are in keeping with the law as written and regulations that apply to schemes and scheme rules.

Where we have had cases go to panel in the last three years, where the panel has recommended that the decision be changed, we have accepted that as you’ll see in 11 cases, partially accepted in one case, and we have eight still under consideration.

“Because they are under consideration, I don’t want the panel to form the opinion that we will reject those recommendations – that is not the case.

“We consider each case very carefully, and we just need to ensure that the recommendation is in keeping with the rules that govern the schemes.”

The post Department to seek legal changes for NI’s review of decisions process appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The changes, which include scrapping Greening Payments, will simplify the application process for farmers and will be reflected in the Entitlements Register, which was published on January 31 this year.

Greening Payments scrapped

In a statement, Minister Poots assured farmers that removing Greening Payments will not affect the overall money they receive.

Although farmers will not receive a specific greening payment, the money paid out previously will be incorporated into BPS entitlements values and will be included in their main BPS payment.

Minister Poots said: “In September 2020, I announced my decision to permanently remove greening requirements for the 2021 scheme year after considering that they are not effective in delivering environmental benefits, coupled with the additional administrative burden they placed on farmers.

“These changes have now been made and the application process has been simplified.

The value of BPS entitlements will be increased by approximately 43.6% to ensure that overall payments to NI farmers remain the same.

“However, farmers will still have to meet the minimum standards on the environment, animal and plant health, and animal welfare. Rules on Environmentally Sensitive Permanent Grassland and land eligibility are being retained.”

Exchange rate

Minister Poots also announced that entitlement values will now be calculated in sterling: “With the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union last year, it no longer makes sense to calculate entitlement values in euros. Entitlement values on the register will now be displayed in pound sterling.”

While entitlements will now be calculated and displayed in sterling using the exchange rate of €1 = £0.89092, previous years’ entitlement values will continue to be displayed in euros.

Farmers are reminded that the online Entitlement Transfer Service will be opened from March 1 until May 4, 2021.

The post Changes to NI’s Basic Payments to be implemented for 2021 scheme year appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The Sinn Féin MLA said: “While our farmers have absolutely no certainty about funding beyond 2022 and no progress on the British Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the Irish Government has undertaken a public consultation to inform their CAP national strategic plan with a confirmed budget of €10.5 billion.

Not only has the British government dragged us out of the EU but they have also robbed us of £34 million that we had in the previous Rural Development Programme by not letting us carry this over to this year.

“I raised this issue with the DAERA Minister in the Assembly on Tuesday and pointed out that this difference poses a serious threat to our farmers’ ability to compete on a level playing field with our counterparts in the south.

“The new CAP also gives farmers in the south and across the EU certainty of continued direct payments along with a strong focus on generational renewal, young farmers, environment and climate action, while Britain moves away from the CAP model of support.

“This is grossly unfair to our farmers, rural businesses and community sector who are the backbone of the rural economy and society.”

‘No commitment beyond 7 years’

Responding to McAleer’s question, Minister Poots highlighted that even within the EU there was no commitment beyond the next seven years.

“We have a commitment on the issues around Brexit and funding until the end of this mandate,” he said.

“No Government can make a commitment for a future Government; it will always lie with that particular Government.

The EU runs seven-year cycles, and there is no commitment beyond the seven years in that respect either.

“Therefore, we should not be talking up the fact that there is no commitment beyond this mandate. We have a commitment for this mandate, and I believe that there will be substantial support for agriculture and the environment beyond the mandate of this Parliament.”

The post McAleer: Farmers in the North could be left behind appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

TFA chief executive, George Dunn, said:

“Up to half of the tenanted sector of agriculture in England and Wales operates under Farm Business Tenancies (FBTs) which are characterised both by very short lengths of term and restrictive clauses.

In many cases tenants are not allowed to enter government schemes for the improvement of the environment without their landlord’s consent and it is also often the case that landlords themselves reserve the right to take the benefit of new schemes themselves.

“It is also the case that landlords often reserve the right to the benefit of private arrangements for carbon and biodiversity offsetting.

“The TFA recognises the opportunity to develop new schemes targeting the environment and new markets for positive carbon and biodiversity management, which will replace funding under the CAP over time.

“However, we cannot support a situation where the funding is removed from tenant farmers and is received instead by their landlords.

“Landlords are entitled to receive rent in return for granting exclusive occupation of their land to active farmers.

“They should not be able to capitalise directly through government schemes and other arrangements,” added Dunn.

Despite the TFA’s strong lobbying, it is unfortunate that the government decided not to include provisions within the Agriculture Act which would have protected access to new schemes for tenants occupying under FBTs.

“The government must now address these issues through the way it designs schemes to protect access for tenant farmers,” said Dunn.

Attention to detail

Farm tenants must also pay particular attention to the detail of any new tenancy agreements they are asked to sign.

The TFA said that even where it seems that the agreements are allowing tenants to access schemes, they may end up restricting the tenant in other ways.

TFA’s recommended professional, Philip Meade, from Davis Meade Property Consultants, said:

We are becoming increasingly concerned about some of the clauses being used in the development of standard ‘template’ FBTs which insist on the tenant obtaining and maintaining maximum rights and entitlements under any new government schemes.

“Davis Meade Property Consultants is part of a consortium that is working on some ground-breaking proposals for farming, involving private sector funding which could be far more lucrative and flexible than some of the proposed government schemes.

“It would be a lost opportunity (for both landlords and tenants) to see tenancies restricted to government schemes only precluding prospects for working with the private sector,” Meade concluded.

The post TFA warns that half of tenant farmers could be excluded from future schemes appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Payments during December were made to around 82,500 eligible claimants and were worth more than £1.77 billion in total.

In addition the RPA brought forward more full Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES) payments in December, with just under 68% of eligible CS revenue and just over 57% of ES claims paid, totaling £67 million.

There was also an increase in the number of CS 2021 agreements issued with over 63% of applicants receiving their offers by the end of the year.

RPA chief executive, Paul Caldwell, said:

We understand how important our services are to farmers and land managers across the country and I’m pleased that we have been able to show year on year improvements.

“It has been a difficult year for many and I am pleased that we have shown our commitment to agricultural and rural communities, and to those that have kept the nation fed during such challenging times.”

Other payments made

The agency also issued 236 eligible agreements under the Flood Recovery Fund worth £1.7 million to support farmers who suffered uninsurable damage to their property in the devastating floods in November 2019.

In light of the disruption caused by the coronavirus outbreak the RPA took the decision to extend the window to submit applications for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and make a claim for Countryside Stewardship (CS), Environmental Stewardship (ES) and woodland legacy revenue payments by one month.

This gave farmers and their agents an extra month to submit applications and claims, helping them to avoid penalties for late applications.

The post 98% of farmers eligible for BPS received payments in December appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The financial discipline mechanism was created to ensure that Direct Payments do not exceed the EU budget limit.

Due to the creation of an EU Crisis Reserve, the financial discipline mechanism is triggered each year.

Member States are required by European Commission Regulations to apply a percentage reduction to Direct Payments over €2,000 which is then released back to farmers the following year, if that reserve is not required.

Welcoming the reimbursement, Minister Poots said:

Approximately 21,000 farmers in Northern Ireland will receive Financial Discipline Reimbursement payments this week.

“This is money our farmers are entitled to and would normally be paid in December each year when balance payments are being issued.

As confirmation has now been received from the European Commission on the UK reimbursement, I have authorised these further payments to commence.

“As we are leaving the EU it will mean there will no longer be a Financial Discipline applied in advance and therefore farmers will receive their full entitlement each year and no refund will be required the following year.”

The post NI farmers to receive £3.6 million in reimbursement payments from the EU appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

Also Read: ‘We are no longer bound by the EU’ – Landmark ‘Path to Sustainable Farming’ document

Each UK administration has the flexibility to develop agricultural policy suited to their own circumstances.

A host of new schemes are set to be introduced by the programme with the phasing out of Direct Payments set to play a big role.

The government said that the funding gained from phasing out Direct Payments will be used to introduce new schemes to help farmers become more productive and meet the growing demand for their produce all around the world.

The new Farming Investment Fund will be open for applications next year. The fund will provide targeted support to businesses so that they can invest in equipment, technology, and infrastructure that will improve their productivity and deliver environmental and other public benefits.

The two levels for this fund will be the Farming Equipment Technology Fund, which will offer small grants to contribute towards the purchase of a list of specified items and the Farming Transformation Fund, which will provide larger grants towards the cost of more substantial investments in equipment, technology or infrastructure, with the potential to transform business performance.

Eligible investments

Eligible investments under these funds may include on-farm water storage infrastructure, robotic or automated technology, items to improve animal health and welfare and equipment for processing agricultural products, which may help farmers to streamline or diversify their businesses.

From 2022, farmers will also benefit from an increased investment in agricultural research and development that will enable more farmers and agri-food businesses to drive innovation.

This will see farmer-led research and development projects to trial and demonstrate viability of new and existing technologies to address immediate on-farm productivity challenges as well as research into how agriculture can meet its longer term goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and achieve net zero.

Example projects could be trialling new feed additives or demonstrating the integration of autonomous farm machinery.

The post What new schemes will be introduced by the ‘Path to Sustainable Farming’? appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The rural business organisation made the comments following a parliamentary statement by Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing this afternoon.

Eleanor Kay, policy adviser (agriculture) at SLE, said:

Rural payments will be made to businesses one or two months earlier than they were delivered this year, news which will be welcome to farmers and land managers as they look at cash-flow projections ahead of our imminent EU departure.

“These are vital support funds and it is important that we see all claimants have their payments expedited at a time of considerable uncertainty.”

LFASS Payments

Kay continued:

“Less Favoured Area Support Scheme [LFASS] payments will be topped up by the convergence funding allocations, once again highlighting the importance of supporting farming and land management in the uplands.

Moving forward, we need to soon consider how we continue to reward upland farmers for all the environmental and societal benefits they deliver once LFASS is replaced.

SLE also said the creation of a board to oversee recommendations from expert industry reports would benefit from diverse input.

“Scottish agriculture and land management is familiar with an extensive range of expert reports and research being published each year but it is true that recommendations are often forgotten about or the pace of change is too slow.

A new board to oversee the outcome of these reports can add value but we need to see a diverse group of rural voices being included on that board.

“This will go some way to ensuring that all of Scotland’s land managers are included in creating the new plans for rural policy,” she concluded.

The post SLE welcomes new strategy for rural land payments appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The amendments, announced by the Scottish government, are due to come into effect on January 1, 2021.

Eleanor Kay, policy adviser (Agriculture) at SLE, said:

“We still need to examine the detail of regulations laid before parliament but at first glance, we are broadly supportive of the measures outlined by the government.

The introduction of the Basic Pyment Scheme [BPS] continuity regulation was expected and the changes to the greening scheme will be pleasing to most within the sector.

“In the near future, however, we would like to see the government look at the gap left by pausing the Agri-Environment Climate Scheme – a missing piece of the jigsaw which is limiting our ability to deliver for the environment.”

‘Amendments are correct in the short-term’

Kay continued:

“The amendments to LFASS are correct in the short-term, reversing the changes that were forced upon the sector as a result of not moving to the EU Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) system.

However, we must quickly use the opportunity this ‘fixing’ of LFASS delivers to reassess what it is we want funding in our uplands to deliver for the farmers, society and the environment.

“We must ensure that a suitable replacement policy is implemented which takes account of the unique situation of our uplands which have an important role in delivering multiple benefits.

“During the Simplicity and Stability consultation – and in our own #Route2050 paper –  SLE has argued for changes to be made to the inspection and penalty regime, especially in light of the mental health burden of excessive bureaucracy.

“We look forward to seeing how these changes will allow for a greater understanding of honest human error and a constructive approach to fix on-farm processes which may have caused an error,” she concluded.

The post SLE supports planned changes to CAP and LFASS appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.

The minister was speaking after he visited the farm of Simon Meredith and his father Stephen at Moodage Road, Tandragee, who received funding from a previous FBIS Tier 1 scheme.

That funding enabled the purchase of a 2000 gallon slurry tanker fitted with a dribble bar slurry distribution system which helped them to cut fertiliser costs and more efficiently finish their cattle off grass.

The minister said: “I have allocated £7.5 million for this tranche of Tier 1, which supports smaller scale investments to improve the sustainability of farm businesses.

The scheme will support the purchase of equipment and machinery – costing from £5,000 to £30,000 – from a list of eligible items.

“This will build upon the success of the previous two tranches of Tier 1, which provided £14.4 million grant support to over 3,000 farmers and growers,” he said.

On-site visit

The minister added: “I am delighted to see first hand, a farm business making excellent use of technology that will undoubtedly ensure the future sustainability of this farm.

During his visit, the minister said that improving how farmers actually farm will have long-term benefits for the environment and will encourage farmers to avail of such technologies.

The result would be more efficient and environmentally aware farm businesses.

The Merediths farm 107ac with a further 70ac taken in conacre for the past 20 years.

Currently the partnership runs a spring calving suckler herd of Limousin and Blonde cows crossed to a Blonde bull. The calves are finished at 25/26 months weighing 390kg to 400kg.

There is also a dairy calf to beef system and 180 early lambing ewes producing lambs for the Easter market and freeing up grazing for the cattle enterprise.

“I look forward to hearing many positive stories like this one from Stephen and Simon [Meredith] coming out of our new Tranche of Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme which opened on November 2.

I encourage all eligible who feel investment is needed at this time in their business to apply to the scheme as soon as possible.

Simon Meredith explained how the funding has helped improve his business:

“This purchase was facilitated by financial support through Tier 1 of the Farm Business Improvement Scheme – Capital and has made a huge difference to our grassland management.

The dribble bar distribution system spreads the slurry between the blades of grass which means less nutrient loss; grass is not contaminated with slurry and there is less ammonia released into the atmosphere. An added bonus is the reduction in the smell from the slurry and knowing emissions have been reduced.

Meredith added: “As there is less nutrient loss and the grass leaf is not contaminated with the slurry there is a quicker recovery of the sward which means extra grazing days.

“Cattle are grazed in rotation, with slurry applied using the dribble bar reducing the requirement for artificial fertiliser.

Applications for the scheme

Commenting on the re-opening of Tier 1, FBIS – Capital, Dr. Andrew Kerr, FBIS Contract Manager, stated:

“Farmers should carefully consider their investment options for modernisation of their farm businesses and when the scheme opens, should access a copy of the FBIS-Capital Explanatory Booklet and List of Eligible items.”

Dr. Kerr continued: “Given our involvement in the delivery of Tranches 1 & 2 of the FBIS we have an experienced and dedicated staff team available to deal with enquires from farmers and growers planning to make an application.”

The post Poots encourages NI farmers to apply for farm business funding appeared first on Agriland.co.uk.