Agriculture in the national news - April 19

Euros proved a sterling option

FARMERS who chose to receive last year’s Single Farm Payment (SFP) in euros were paid up to 7 per cent more than if they had opted for a payment in sterling.

The continued volatility of the pound against the euro means thousands of farmers are again choosing to be paid in euros. The SFP is calculated in euros and then converted to pounds according to the exchange rate on September 30, 2010.

The Journal
http://tinyurl.com/y3c6q2d

Farming: Decisions on CAP may go better if discussed in the pub…

ON ARRIVAL in Brussels, I met an Irish journalist who seemed to know his way around. In from the airport was easy and then he said: “I’ll take you to where the big decisions are made.”

I expected then to be taken through the gates of the European Parliament or even into the offices of some senior officials but instead found myself in Kitty O’Shea’s, an Irish pub where the air was thick with cigarette smoke and deep Irish brogue.

The Scotsman
http://tinyurl.com/y5mmn5h

Farmers club together in struggle to survive

As supermarkets engage in an escalating price war, largely funded by demands for cheaper terms from suppliers, farmers are feeling the pinch.

The response from many has been to seek solace in each other’s company, resulting in a rise in demand for places in agricultural co-operatives.

Squeezed between demanding customers and volatile commodity prices, farmers see co-operatives as the best way to secure a higher price for their products.

Financial Times
http://tinyurl.com/y4aagd9

Devon and Cornwall petrol prices bring rural agony

Motorists in rural areas of Devon and Cornwall are hoping politicians will ease the pain of fuel increases.

The average cost of unleaded petrol hit an average of 119.9p a litre in April due to a weak pound, rising wholesale prices and a rise in fuel duty

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/y7zvvx7

Volcano chaos could continue for months

The Icelandic volcano causing travel chaos across Europe could go on erupting for months, geologists have warned.

More countries were forced to close their air space yesterday as the ash cloud continued to expand across the continent.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/y3yt65z

Ash threatening Iceland’s livestock

FOR most of Europe, the major issue caused by the Iceland volcano eruption has been the travel chaos.

For Iceland’s farmers, though, the problem is very much on the ground.

Farmers across the region have been scrambling to protect their herds from inhaling or ingesting the ash.

The Scotsman
http://tinyurl.com/y59n4sp

Iceland volcano: Kenya’s farmers losing $1.3m a day in flights chaos

5,000 workers laid off and tonnes of vegetables and flowers dumped as ash cloud engulfs Europe.

Farmers in Kenya are dumping tonnes of vegetables and flowers destined for the UK, four days after the volcanic ash cloud over Europe grounded cargo shipments from Africa.

The Guardian
http://tinyurl.com/y2kdg29

NZ lead in agriculture threatened, says report

New Zealand’s $26 billion agriculture sector will soon feel the squeeze from lower-cost foreign competition, says a report by accounting and advisory firm KPMG.

New Zealand Herald
http://tinyurl.com/y7q5xdb

Have your say

Please do not complete the following form field for security reasons.

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name