Agriculture in the national news - June 2

Tension rises as badger cull looms in Pembrokeshire

Tensions are increasing in north Pembrokeshire as the Welsh Assembly Government’s plans for a badger cull create anger and fear.

For the past two years, the authorities have been battling against the spread of bovine TB in cows.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/2wsgeee


Farmer trampled by cow on North York Moors farm

A farmer is in a critical condition in hospital after he was trampled by a cow on a remote North York Moors farm.

The 67-year-old man suffered serious head, chest and abdominal injuries at Manor Farm, Old Byland, on Monday.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/3ae3c77


Academic resigns from FSA group over GM

A leading academic has resigned from the Government’s food watchdog in protest at the use of taxpayer’s money to promote pro-GM ‘propaganda’.

Professor Brian Wynne was vice chairman of a steering group set up by the Food Standards Agency to gauge the public mood on genetically modified (GM) food.

But he said the public consultation was “rigged” from the start in favour of the controversial new technology.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/2fvppz4


‘Bus stop mentality’ killing villages

Villages are dying because of a ‘terrible bus stop mentality’ that means new homes can only be built on public transport routes, according to a new report on the problems of planning in the countryside.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said planning policy under the Labour government “throttled” the countryside by introducing so much red tape.

The 20 page report said rural areas are unfairly expected to meet a huge number of “sustainability criteria” that makes it impossible to develop new businesses or build affordable homes in the countryside.

Daily Telegraph
http://tinyurl.com/336qs4z


EU battle underway over billions in farm handouts

Britain, France and Germany Tuesday staked out their positions ahead of an impending showdown over reform of the EU’s controversial policy of agricultural subsidies.

The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, plans to present its proposals for a reworking of the Common Agricultural Policy in November and a new CAP is to come into effect on January 1, 2014.

But the CAP, which provides billions of euros (dollars) in subsidies for food production and currently accounts for around 40 percent of total EU spending, is a major source of tension.

AFP
http://tinyurl.com/36b8n23


NI told to pay for £60m European farming subsidy errors

The Executive needs every penny it can get its hands on at the minute, but now Europe is demanding £60m back for payments made in error to farmers in Northern Ireland.

The problems were discovered by European auditors who were sent to Northern Ireland to carry out spot checks on some of the individual subsidy claims made by farmers.

BBC Online
http://tinyurl.com/39a65wn


Pioneering farmer is given Prince Charles’ royal seal of approval

The Prince of Wales has given a pioneering East Yorkshire farmer the royal seal of approval.

Royal farmer Prince Charles has a lot in common with Denys Fell of Great Hatfield, near Hornsea.

He praised the work being carried out at Mr Fell’s Densholme Community Care Farm to help people wanting a healthier lifestyle.

Hull and East Riding
http://tinyurl.com/3855h5d

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