The Rural Bulletin: 2nd August 2018

Drought summit sets agenda for government action

Michael Gove, farming representatives and government officials came together yesterday (1 August) to highlight the impact the drought is having on British food production. 

The summit called for speeding up of BPS and Countryside Stewardship payments, support for transporting fodder and straw to areas where there are shortages, and flexibility around water abstraction for farmers, including the ability to trade water between farms.

“The Secretary of State said he would do ‘whatever it takes to make sure farmers can continue to run successful businesses and that food supplies can continue to be healthy’,” said Minette Batters, NFU president. 

Scotland seeks solutions for feed and fodder shortfall

NFU Scotland also met with industry stakeholders yesterday (1 August) to discuss solutions to the feed shortfalls facing farmers this autumn. 

They suggested a number of actions including bringing forward the payment of all pillar 2 payments, relaxing the three-crop rule to allow more time to bale straw rather than plant winter crops and asking the Scottish Government to pay 90% of basic payments in October. 

“We are urging farmers and crofters to plan ahead; consider alternatives and collaborate,” said Martin Kennedy, NFUS vice president. “The sooner farmers start that process, the better.” 

UK’s first post-Brexit agri-environmental scheme unveiled

Defra secretary Michael Gove has announced the first agri-environmental scheme to be directly funded by the UK: The Payment by Results (PBR) project.

The project will pay farmers according to the environmental outcomes they achieve and has already been trialled in Norfolk, Suffolk and Wensleydale in Yorkshire. 

"The Payment by Results pilot marks a shift in how we think about rewarding farmers for their work,” said Mr Gove. “This approach signals how we see the future of farm payments, where farmers deliver public goods for the environment which we all enjoy.” 

Harvest Roundup 

Rain has stopped the harvest for a day or two but winter barley and oilseed rape harvest is coming to an end – and with the forecast turning hot again many are turning to combining wheat.

Yields have been below average – but often better than expected, given the drought - while quality across all crops has been good. However, there are concerns over spring-drilled crops, which have suffered more in the dry weather. 

New East-West Rail

Rail passengers could soon take the train between Oxford, Bedford, Milton Keynes and Aylesbury as part of the new East-West line which Network Rail hopes to complete in early 2020.

However, it will have to acquire land for widening the single-track section, landscaping and alterations to roads and bridges, as well as site compounds and temporary access routes.

Affected land, property and business owners will be entitled to compensation for land taken, and householders might be able to claim compensation if their property loses value due to factors such as noise. For more information see on how the new East-West rail may affect you.

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