Win wine, hens back outside, EU border checks

It’s an interesting about face that the government is championing, rather than hiding, its decision to postpone checks on EU imports yet again. Given rising food costs it makes sense to minimise red tape where possible. But I’m sure many people will be slightly surprised that a politician who promised Brexit would give back control of our borders, now seems to be advocating for no control whatsoever - serious concerns have been raised regarding the UK’s ability to prevent livestock and plant diseases without the appropriate phytosanitary checks at border crossings.

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Andrew Shirley, Head of Rural Research

In this week’s update:

• Commodity markets – Oilseeds spiral
• Brexit – EU border checks delayed. Again
• Poultry – Free-range eggs are back
• The Rural Sentiment Survey – Take part to win wine
• Vineyard opportunities – Listen to our new podcast
• Overseas news – Ukraine farms hit by mines

Commodity markets – Oilseeds spiral

The rise in oilseed rape values shows no sign of slowing down with Paris futures prices for May standing at £880/t. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which produces around 50% of the world’s sunflower oil exports, buyers have been looking for alternatives. But a ban on certain palm oil exports by the Indonesian government due to the rising cost of food there has added further pressure to the market.

Brexit – EU border checks delayed. Again

The government has announced its fourth delay to border checks on food imports from the EU that were at last due to be implemented on 1 July. While UK exports heading into mainland Europe have been checked ever since we left the EU, trucks coming from the other direction will not be scrutinised until the end of 2023, if ever.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, the minister for Brexit Opportunities, said the delay would cut costs for consumers and was a positive move. Farming and vets groups, however, slammed the decision claiming a lack of phytosanitary checks leaves the UK open to the spread of plant and animal diseases. Port operators are also miffed, having spent millions getting ready for 1 July.

Poultry – Free-range eggs are back

Talking of livestock diseases, free-range hens will no longer need to be kept indoors from 2 May to help mitigate the spread of avian flu. Enhanced biosecurity measures, however, will remain in place as the disease continues to circulate in the UK.

The move has been welcomed by producers who have been unable to describe their eggs as free range since 21 March due to the length of the restrictions, which were introduced at the end of November. One hundred cases have been confirmed in the UK.

The Rural Sentiment Survey – Take part to win wine

To help inform the next edition of The Rural Report all farmers, rural landowners and professional advisors are invited to take our annual Rural Sentiment Survey. Everybody who completes the survey will go into a draw to win half a case of Chapel Down sparkling English wine.

Take the survey

Vineyard opportunities – Listen to our new podcast

With the help of Ed Mansel-Lewis, Knight Frank’s new Head of Viticulture, a recent edition of our Intelligence Talks podcast looks at England’s wine boom and how it is impacting the land market. English sparkling wine in particular has been portrayed as one of the wine world's big success stories. Overall, there are now over 700 vineyards in England and Wales.

Overseas news – Ukraine farms hit by mines

Ukrainian farmers are accusing retreating Russian forces of trying to destroy the country’s agricultural infrastructure by leaving farmland riddled with landmines.

The Ukrainian government predicts 25% less land will be planted this spring than usual, though several farming companies operating in the country say that looks very optimistic.

Photo by Thomas Iversen on Unsplash