Agriculture in the news - February 10

‘Thumb-twiddling MPs’ back calls for a Bill on supermarket regulator

Legislation to create a supermarket watchdog should be put before Parliament immediately as MPs are being “under-employed”, farming leaders have said.

A Bill for the introduction of a retail adjudicator is needed urgently to police the grocery supply chain, say Westcountry farmers who are fed up with poor payments from both retailers and processors.

North Devon Journal

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/story-15188536-detail/story.html

Police warning to dog owners after sheep killed in dog attacks

Dyfed-Powys Police is urging dog owners to keep their animals under proper control, if they are in rural areas, after several incidents have been reported to the police, whereby dogs have killed or worried sheep in the County of Pembrokeshire.

Tivyside Advertiser

http://www.tivysideadvertiser.co.uk/news/9524304.Police_warning_to_dog_owners_after_sheep_killed_in_dog_attacks/

Farmers’ union wants swift action on cull

DERBYSHIRE’S National Farmers Union says it hopes for swift progress on plans to launch a legal challenge against badger culls.

The Badger Trust has written to the Government detailing grounds for a legal challenge to two pilot culls taking place this year, aimed at controlling bovine TB, which badgers are blamed for spreading among cattle. Although the culls will be in southern England, the NFU hopes they will soon be permitted in west Derbyshire.

Derby Telegraph

http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/story-15188408-detail/story.html

Tons of rubbish dumped on farmer’s land

A three ton truck made the trip to Kyle Ballykeeffe with a full load of rubbish for the sole purpose of dumping on the land of Callan farmer Dan Fitzpatrick. The incident is the latest example of illegal dumping blighting rural Kilkenny.

Kilkenny People

http://www.kilkennypeople.ie/news/local/tons_of_rubbish_dumped_on_farmer_s_land_1_3499571

Live exports not politically acceptable

IT is not politically acceptable to have livestock being exported for slaughter, MHKs were told.

In the House of Keys, Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne was asked by fellow Rushen MHK Laurence Skelly if his department supported the exportation for slaughter and, if not, how he intended to combat this growing trend.

Isle of Man Today

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/isle-of-man-news/live_exports_not_politically_acceptable_1_4231794

Payments agency pledges efficiency reforms

Managers at the troubled Rural Payments Agency (RPA) have unveiled a five-year plan to bring to an end the years of inaccurate and late payments which have cost UK taxpayers hundreds of millions of pounds in fines.

The agency, which has been roundly criticised for repeated blunders in its handling of European subsidy payments to farmers, yesterday sought to mark a fresh start in its chequered history.

Yorkshire Post

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/country-view/farming/payments_agency_pledges_efficiency_reforms_1_4232324

HS2: NFU briefs farmers on compensation

Farmers affected by the new HS2 high-speed rail line will be briefed on compensation negotiations at a National Farmers Union (NFU) meeting later.

The NFU and the Country Land and Business Association have already negotiated a £1,000 payment to landowners for initial survey work.

BBC

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-16965021

‘Huge opportunities on horizon for dairy industry’

Huge opportunities are on the horizon for the Irish dairy industry, according to Glanbia group managing director John Moloney.

Mr Moloney, yesterday told a Waterford Chamber conference at the Tower Hotel, that although one in seven Irish jobs are now linked to the agri-food sector, this can grow even more in the coming years.

Irish Examiner

http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/huge-opportunities-on-horizon-for-dairy-industry-183345.html#ixzz1lyLkuaWP

Farm owner wins appeal over ruling on Moonzie tenancy rent

The Scottish Land Court has been told to revise the rents it set on a Fife farm after its owner yesterday won his appeal against its judgment in a landmark case.

Lord Gill, the Lord Justice Clerk, with Lord Bonomy and Lord Brodie, yesterday criticised the land court’s original decision and agricultural tenancy legislation in their long-awaited verdict on the Moonzie case.

The Press and Journal

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2634249

Spelman in green appeal

THE world must set a series of new goals for a greener economy at a major conference in June, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has said.

Mrs Spelman said “sustainable development goals” similar to the Millennium Development Goals which aimed to tackle problems faced by the world’s poorest people, were needed to address environmental issues.

South Wales Evening Post

http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/story-15187970-detail/story.html

Farm lets completed by Buccleuch Estates

After years of contraction, the number of let farms in Scotland might rise a fraction with the announcement that Buccleuch Estates has successfully completed the letting of an extensive range of farm land on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfriesshire.

Almost 2,500 acres of mixed use and arable land has been be let in 17 lots and includes whole farm units, land with buildings and bare land.

The Scotsman

http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-and-agriculture/farm_lets_completed_by_buccleuch_estates_1_2108684

Jailed farmer fails to purge contempt

A FARMER who has spent the past seven months in jail for failing to purge a contempt-of-court order was sent back to prison yesterday, after refusing to obey the order of the presiding judge.

Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0210/1224311572770.html

Aphrodisiac cheese on sale in Dorset is like ‘natural Viagra’

A farm has released a limited-edition aphrodisiac cheese in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.

West Dorset cheesemaker Ford Farm has launched its latest offering called Swoon – a Wensleydale cheese combined with figs and honey, ingredients recognised to have natural aphrodisiac qualities.

Western Daily Press

http://www.thisisdorset.co.uk/story-15189789-detail/story.html

Call for protection of Irish biodiversity

THE FUTURE of global agricultural development depends on the conservation of biodiversity in Ireland and abroad, a bio-agricultural conference has been told.

The first annual AgroBiodiversity Conference, at NUI Galway’s plant and agribioscience centre, focused on strategies to sustain Ireland’s rich variety of species of plants and animals. Nineteen international speakers covered a range of topics pertaining to biodiversity, covering threatened breeds of crops and livestock, seed and trees and other natural resources.

Irish Times

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2012/0210/1224311572849.html

International interests at biggest show of Herefords

THE largest single display of Hereford cattle in Europe was seen at Shewsbury Auction Centre during the annual Calf Show.

The Hereford Cattle Society’s annual show incorporated the National Calf Show. The event had an international feel with several Danish Hereford breeders attending to support judge Anders Mortensen of Woodlands Herefords, the oldest herd in Denmark, established in 1966. A group of breeders from the Republic of Ireland also attended.

Hereford Times

http://www.herefordtimes.com/news/features/farming/9522686.International_interests_at_biggest_show_of_Herefords/r/?ref=rss

Unusual metal sign stolen from Lincolnshire farm

Police are appealing for information after a distinctive sign was stolen from a Lincolnshire farm.

The unusual metal square was taken from Victoria Farm, Kirkby Underwood Road, Aslackby, Sleaford. Thieves sawed through a wooden post it was attached to sometime between Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5. The sign measures 3ft by 2ft and was valued at £500, five years ago.

Lincolnshire Echo

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/story-15179804-detail/story.html

It’s official: Somerset farm life is good for you

It has been the kind of thing your granny or various old wives have sworn by for years – that growing up on a farm being exposed to muck and animals made children tougher and healthier.

And now West Country scientists say they have not only proved that is the case, but shown exactly how – and it is all down to the number of T-lymphocites in your average farmer’s son.

Western Daily Press

http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/story-15188061-detail/story.html

Hatton farm village near Solihull opens lambing marquee for visitors

THE sight of newborn lambs frolicking around the fields can be seen at Hatton Farm Village, near Solihull, this month where families can get up close to the action in a lambing marquee.

Solihull News

http://www.solihullnews.net/news/solihull-news/2012/02/10/hatton-farm-village-near-solihull-opens-lambing-marquee-for-visitors-105074-30292704/

A fabulous spring day out down on the farm

WITH the end of the winter in sight and spring almost sprung, now is the ideal time to plan a visit to one of the region’s many open farms.

Family-run Bocketts Farm Park near Leatherhead describes itself as an all-weather adventure day out for children and adults alike. Set back in the rolling Surrey Hills on the Norbury Park Estate, the farm is open to the public all year round and visited by tens of thousands of visitors throughout the year.

Surrey Mirror

http://www.thisissurreytoday.co.uk/story-15188647-detail/story.html

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