Agriculture in the national news - July 30

Farmland birds at lowest ever level

Farmland birds like grey partridges and lapwings have hit their lowest level since records began more than 40 years ago, according to official Government statistics

The 19 bird species most commonly found in the British countryside, like wood pigeon, skylark and rooks, have declined by more than 50 per cent since 1966.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/32lheuj

EC ponders changes to boost tractor safety and cut red tape

THE European Commission is contemplating various regulatory changes to improve tractor safety and cut the red tape faced by manufacturers.

New standards are likely to compulsorily demand the fitting of anti-lock braking systems on all new tractors and trailers that can travel in excess of 25mph as well as improved deceleration performance. The commission is also seeking safety improvements in tractor and trailer compatibility.

Press and Journal
http://tinyurl.com/2um7r8a

Rural schools’ future ‘in doubt’

The future of rural schools has been threatened after ministers failed to intervene to stop the closure of an Ayrshire primary, it has been claimed.

The Scottish Rural Schools Network said ministers should have called in East Ayrshire Council’s decision to close Crossroads Primary, near Kilmarnock.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/3ynoo2t

Rachel Rowlands, Founder, Rachel’s Organic

She’s the yogurt lady, right?

Very good, though Rachel’s makes a bit more than just yoghurt these days. Have you tried the chocolate desserts? They’re to die for.

The Independent
http://tinyurl.com/2vvtm6h

Village clubs together to reconnect red phone box which charges 1p per minute

A village has clubbed together to reconnect a traditional red telephone box which now charges just 1p per minute for calls.

The abandoned K6 phone box in Northlew, Devon was disconnected by BT last year but has been recommissioned after locals agreed to fund £15 per month for its reconnection.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/3xnc8cg

Warning over farm mishaps during harvest

FARMERS HAVE been asked to re-examine safety measures at a time of year when they are busy harvesting, and children are around the farmyard.

Some 18 people have died in farm mishaps already this year, compared with 11 for the whole of 2009. Tractors and machinery accounted for 10 of those deaths, while three fatalities were related to tree felling or timber.

Irish Times
http://tinyurl.com/39l85p3

Farm rents should be calculated on earning capacity, argues STFA

The Scottish Tenant Farmers Association (STFA) chairman Angus McCall has called on the Scottish Government to change the law to allow for farm rents to be calculated on the earning capacity of the farm.

Currently the way farm rents are calculated is based on the 1991 Act that uses open market rent values, but the number of rented farms being re-let in recent years has all but dried up leading to a dire shortage of comparable open market rents.

Herald Scotland
http://tinyurl.com/33o5oey

Australia’s GrainCorp buys AWB to create wheat giant

Australia’s GrainCorp (GNC.AX) has agreed to buy smaller rival AWB (AWB.AX) in an A$855 million ($770 million) deal to bulk up against big global competitors like Bunge Ltd (BG.N), Cargill and Glencore.

The surprise all-shares deal would create a combined Australian group with a market capitalization of more than A$2 billion and revenues of A$7 billion that will become the leading exporter in the world’s fourth-largest wheat exporting nation.

Reuters
http://tinyurl.com/356bvc6

Have your say

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

Name

E-mail

Comment

Post as

Anonymously

Display name