Agriculture in the news - February 7

Farmers hostile to Glastir ‘threats’

FARMERS have reacted with hostility to suggestions they may be forced to undertake green measures if they don’t support the Glastir scheme.

Farming deputy minister Alun Davies issued the warning after revealing a disappointing take-up for the troubled land management scheme.

Daily Post

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/farming-north-wales/farming-news/2012/02/07/farmers-hostile-to-glastir-threats-55578-30279180/

Scheme changes ‘could hit island livestock sector hard’

A farmer and haulier in the Western Isles said last night its livestock sector could be gravely damaged if the Scottish Government excluded larger commercial vehicles from a ferry discount scheme.

The Press and Journal

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2628485

Rural redress

IT has become customary for leading politicians to hold forums with voters since Tony Blair began these electoral roadshows in the 1990s, and which David Cameron has since replicated. They provide a welcome opportunity for leaders to meet ordinary voters – and there have been occasions when the politician concerned has been caught off-guard by the unforeseen question.

This was one reason why Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman was in Yorkshire yesterday; she hopes her department’s new Rural Roadshows can perform an equally valuable role and help fill the void that will be created if the Commission for Rural Communities is wound up.

Yorkshire Post

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/debate/our-view/rural_redress_1_4220315

MSP wants action on map issues

Shetland MSP Tavish Scott is seeking an urgent meeting with Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead over subsidy map problems which could leave crofters and farmers on the islands with four and five-figure penalties.

The Press and Journal

http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/2628883

Alyn Smith calls for limit on ‘unproductive’ farm support pay-outs

THE release at the weekend of details showing the top farm subsidy recipients in Scotland, with three individuals or companies each taking more than £1 million in taxpayers’ money, has highlighted the failings of the current support system, according to one of Scotland’s MEPs.

The Scotsman

http://www.scotsman.com/business/food-drink-and-agriculture/alyn_smith_calls_for_limit_on_unproductive_farm_support_pay_outs_1_2100771

Workers in appeal to watch Merston crops

THE Church Commissioners of England is to lock horns with the district council in a bid to allow workers to protect crops round-the-clock in Merston.

A planning hearing is to be held by a planning inspector on February 22, to decide whether agricultural workers can occupy 9 Groves Farm Cottages.

Chichester Observer

http://www.chichester.co.uk/news/business/workers_in_appeal_to_watch_merston_crops_1_3493704

Welsh farmers to benefit from natural food supplement that aims to produce healthy premium milk all year round

WELSH farmers could benefit financially from a natural feed supplement that researchers believe can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers.

Scientists at the Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (Ibers) at Aberystwyth University say the supplement aims to produce healthy premium milk all year round.

Wales Online

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/countryside-farming-news/farming-news/2012/02/07/welsh-farmers-to-benefit-from-natural-food-supplement-that-aims-to-produce-healthy-premium-milk-all-year-round-91466-30278930/#ixzz1lgdZ3yBF

Lincolnshire farmer given grant to plant 175m of hedgerows on land at Navenby

A WOODLAND grant scheme will enable a third generation farmer to plant 175m of leafy hedgerows on his land at Navenby.

Following in his grandfather and father’s footsteps, Keith Layman farms cereals, sugar beet and rape seed at Top Farm where he also has a livery business.

Sleaford Target

http://www.thisislincolnshire.co.uk/story-15145841-detail/story.html

Bingham residents stunned as tractor gang rip out cash machine

BINGHAM residents were in shock yesterday after brazen thieves used a tractor to pull a cash machine out of the wall of a bank.

The incident happened in the early hours of yesterday morning at the NatWest bank in the town.

Nottingham Post

http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/story-15156245-detail/story.html

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