The Rural Bulletin: 12 January 2018
A summary of the latest news and issues affecting rural landowners and businesses brought to you by Knight Frank.
3 minutes to read
UK to turn green under 25-year plan
The Government’s 25-year Environment Plan, announced by Prime Minister Theresa May today, pledges to eliminate avoidable waste and introduce new safeguards for wildlife. The strategy promises to create 500,000 hectares of new habitat for endangered species, support farmers in turning fields into meadows and other habitats, replenish depleted soils and provide £5.7m to kick-start a new Northern Forest (see below).
It will eliminate all avoidable plastic waste and consider creating an anti-poaching taskforce to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. A new environmental watchdog will help to deliver a Green Brexit by holding the Government to account for environmental standards, with a new approach to agriculture and fisheries management.
Other plans include ensuring housing developments deliver environmental improvements, creating nature friendly schools and reviewing National Parks to see whether the network should be extended.
New Northern Forest scheme could benefit landowners
Landowners may be able to seek financial rewards for planting trees to enhance wildlife and reduce flood risk under the new Northern Forest scheme.
The Woodland Trust and Community Forest Trust plan to establish over 50 million trees over the next 25 years, to be planted along a 120-mile stretch between Liverpool and Hull. The project aims to plant 25,000ha of trees – costing around £500m – and with the first planting by the Trusts beginning in March, this scheme could eventually be rolled out to farmers to encourage them to plant more trees in return for grant payments.
Fewer herds but more cows in Scotland
Over the past year, 39 dairy farmers have ceased production in Scotland, although cow numbers have actually increased, according to the latest statistics from the Scottish Dairy Cattle Association.
There are now only 918 dairy herds in Scotland, compared to 5,735 when records first began in 1903. The average herd size has increased to a record high of 195 head; up 14 head year-on-year, while the total number of milking cows in the country now stands at 178,928, the largest since 1997.
UK agriculture area increases
The total utilised agricultural area in the UK increased by 0.7% in 2017, year-on-year, to 17.5m hectares. According to the latest Defra update, the total crop area increased by 1.7% compared to 2016, while the uncropped arable area fell by 7.8%. The number of people working on agricultural holdings as of June 2017 rose by 1.7% to 474,000.
UK milk production figures revised upwards
Defra has revised its milk production figures for in the first 10 months of 2017, showing an increase in volumes across the whole period.
The revisions place cumulative production for January to October at 12.315bn litres – 332m litres higher than the previously reported figures. The total production for the 2017/18 season to date (April-November) now stands at 9.86bn litres – compared to 9.34bn litres over the same period last year.
£1,000 prize on offer for Devon farmers
Farmers in Devon could win a £1,000 prize through the Prince of Wales Award, which is now open for entries.
The award celebrates community projects and small farm business diversification projects in Devon which are seeking to educate and involve young people in sustainable initiatives. The criteria reflect HRH The Prince of Wales’ personal enthusiasm for sustainability and community action, with a strong accent on youth.
Entries close on 31 March, for more information click here.