News in Brief

A budget, more trade deals, COP26 and the small matter of a global pandemic; there is seemingly no end to the big decisions being made which will have a significant impact on the people who live and work in the countryside.

October is usually a busy month for announcements and new policies following the government’s summer break and last month was no exception. Here are some of the headlines affecting farmers and landowners across the UK.

New Zealand trade deal

Hot on the heels of the UK-Australia trade agreement, a deal with New Zealand was confirmed on 20 October. As part of the agreement, tariffs on New Zealand dairy, sheep meat and beef will gradually be phased out, a move which has attracted considerable criticism from industry bodies. Phil Stocker, National Sheep Association Chief Executive, said: “The worry continues that government is content to wind down livestock farming in the UK, to fulfil climate commitments and grand images of high standards – and then scour the world to feed our nation from sources that are out of sight.”

Build Back Greener?

The government has unveiled its long-awaited plan for achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The new Farming Innovation Programme is designed to drive agricultural innovation and low-carbon farming. The first round, the ‘Industry-led R&D Partnerships Fund’, is already open for applications, with £17.5 million available for farmers, growers, foresters and businesses looking to develop new technologies and practices that will help them overcome challenges and exploit new opportunities.  

Defra Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Jo Churchill said: "Innovation is vital to address the challenges facing the agricultural and horticultural sectors. New ideas, technologies and processes will play a key role in helping farmers, growers and businesses to become more productive.” 

Help for crisis-hit pig sector, but normality still a long way off

The crisis in the pig sector continues, with the government allowing up to 800 butchers to travel to the UK on temporary work visas to help relieve the backlog of pigs on farm. Intense pressure from the industry finally forced the government to announce relief measures, which included permission for meat processors in England to store slaughtered pigs for up to six months to stop them being wasted. 

“This really is just the beginning of the process and we have a long way to go before we can say the crisis is over,” said National Pig Association Chief Executive Zoe Davies. “The situation on many farms is still critical so we must not stop now.  

“We are pleased that the government now fully understands our concerns and is committed to working with us and the supply chain to ease the situation.” 

“Survey of a generation”

The results of this year’s RABI Big Farming Survey made for stark reading, with more than a third of the farming community revealing they are probably or possibly depressed. More than half the women surveyed (58%) said they suffer from anxiety and 52% of the farming community reported pain and discomfort, with one in four experiencing mobility problems. RABI corporate partnership manager Suzy Deeley said: “We owe it to every farming person to use this evidence to take action to improve farmer wellbeing.”

Spotlight on succession

The number of farms with succession plans in place is rising, recent research reveals. Nearly half of farmers (49%) now have a plan – up from 42% last year – according to a survey undertaken by NFU Mutual. This is encouraging, given the financial changes currently affecting the industry, from removal of subsidies to government proposals to introduce exit payments to those leaving the industry. However, 51% still do not have a plan in place, suggesting there is more work still to be done. "Now, more than ever, it’s essential to ensure your farm and your finances are in order,” said Jim McLaren, chairman of NFU Mutual.

Sea Eagle plans abandoned

And finally, farmers and landowners in Norfolk can breathe a sigh of relief: plans to reintroduce sea eagles in 2022 have been scrapped. Natural England had granted a license to the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation and Wild Ken Hill to release up to 60 eagles over 10 years. However Wild Ken Hill confirmed they have decided to step away from the project for the time being in a statement on its website. 

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