Farming

Farming goes against the grain

Published

9 years ago

November 19, 2015

GM soya: Vital for UK agriculture says NFU

THE UK farming industry’s reliance on imported GM feed has been highlighted at the launch of a new cross-industry report on global supply chains.

NFU head of policy Andrea Graham addressed the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Science and Technology in Agriculture on the importance to domestic food production of science-based regulation.

Speaking ahead of the appearance, and the release of the industry report, ‘Going against the Grain’, Dr Graham said GM feed products, particularly soya beans, are vital to provide the right balance of nutrition for poultry and livestock production.

And she added that with 95 per cent of EU soya imported from North and South America, protecting supply chains from the disruption of dysfunctional EU regulation is incredibly important.

She said: “Feed is a significant proportion of farm production costs –55-65 per cent for the pig and poultry sectors. Any disruption to the trade flows of protein feed and resulting price rises, passed onto the farmers, puts significant strain on farm businesses and undermines competitiveness.

“The necessity for a functioning and reliable approvals system for GM feed imports has never been so clear.

“The NFU has played an active role in the Agricultural Biotechnology Council’s new report. It underlines the negative impacts of restricting trade of EU-approved GM products of the Single Market but also more widely on jobs, growth and innovation.

“The rules and regulations around GM in the EU must be firmly based on sound scientific evidence and not on national politics or perception. And farmers should have the choice to access authorised technologies available to their competitors around the world.”

According to the report, ‘worrying’ political manoeuvres at a European level are inhibiting the ability of UK farmers to benefit from GM technology.

The Council of Ministers and the European Parliament recently passed legislation to enable Member States to introduce national bans on the cultivation of approved GM crops. A proposal on national bans for GM feed and food imports remains on the table despite being rejected by the Parliament.

Going against the Grain claims that European farmers are often unable to reap the benefits of the trade and use of GM crops and GM animal feed – benefits that other farmers globally are increasingly able to enjoy.

The report’s authors state: ‘Political decisions at a European level increasingly threaten UK farmers’ ability to compete, with knock on effects for jobs and growth in the UK’s successful food and farming industries’.

The report calls on the Government and all political parties to continue to support an evidence-based approach to agricultural bio-technology and continue to take an active European leadership position on the issue. It also calls for the strong rejection of any proposals for the nationalisation of decision-making on the import and use of GM feed and foods.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

A PEMBROKESHIRE man has been found not guilty of breaching a restraining order after being accused of referencing a protected individual in a Facebook post.

Philip Stoddart, 58, of Monkhill Farm, St Ishmaels, appeared at Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Monday (Jan 20) to face the charge. The prosecution, led by Ann Griffiths on behalf of the crown, alleged that between December 4 and December 13, 2023, Stoddart made a Facebook post that, by inference, referred to a person he was prohibited from contacting under a restraining order imposed by Swansea Crown Court on April 16, 2021.

The restraining order, issued under Section 360 of the Sentencing Act 2020, barred Stoddart from making any form of contact with her.

Prosecutors argued that the Facebook post constituted a breach of the order, contrary to Section 363 of the same act.

Stoddart denied the allegations and entered a not guilty plea during a prior hearing on October 1, 2024.

Magistrates Professor N. Negus, Mr. J. Steadman, and Mrs. J. Morris presided over the trial, which concluded on Monday.

After reviewing the evidence, the bench found Stoddart not guilty, dismissing the case.

The dismissal brings to a close legal proceedings that had been ongoing for over a year.

Farming

Get up to £5,000 for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

FARMERS in Wales are being called to apply for the next round of funding for on-farm trials.

The Farming Connect initiative, which has funded projects such as growing lucerne in Brecon, is inviting applications for the Try Out Fund.

The new application window opens on January 27, 2025, and will run until February 17.

Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund trials that experiment with new ideas on their farms.

The last round of funding supported several projects, including integrated pest management at a pick-your-own strawberry enterprise.

Menna Williams, the Farming Connect project lead, said: “Farming Connect has developed the Try Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment.”

She added: “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.”

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

Ms Williams said: “Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100 per cent effort right from the start.”

Projects should focus on enhancing production efficiencies and profitability while ensuring environmental protection through adherence to sustainable land management principles.

A guidance handbook is accessible on the Farming Connect website, providing support for farmers in outlining their projects and completing the application process.

To apply, individuals must be registered with Farming Connect and capable of finishing their projects by January 2026.

Ms Williams explained: “Funding can be used for technical assistance, sampling, testing and other reasonable expenses such as those relating to short-term hire of specialist equipment or facilities directly relating to the project.”

The findings will be shared with other producers in Wales by collaborating with a Farming Connect team member.

Interested parties can apply on the Farming Connect website.

To receive the link or get further information, contact [email protected].

Farming

Funding window to re-open for on-farm trials in Wales

Published

1 week ago

January 23, 2025

Tom Sinclair

WITH Farming Connect-funded trials ranging from growing lucerne in Brecon to establishing sunflowers as a companion crop with maize, farmers are being invited to apply for the next round of funding from the initiative that brought these projects to life.

The new application window for the Try Out Fund opens on 27January2025 and will run until 17 February. Successful applicants will be awarded up to £5,000 to help fund on-farm trials that experiment with new ideas. The last round of funding saw farmers supported for several projects including integrated pest management at pick your own strawberry enterprise.

Project lead Menna Williams of Farming Connect said the aim is for farmers to compare different treatments or management systems – the project is not intended to fund new equipment she stressed.

“Farming Connect has developed the Try-Out Fund to address specific local problems or opportunities with the aim of improving efficiencies and profitability within agricultural businesses whilst protecting the environment,’’ she said. “There are many changes on the horizon for agriculture, and now is a great time for farm businesses to explore an idea that could benefit them, allowing farms to tackle ‘real’ problems or check if a research idea works in practice.’’

The fund is open to individuals or groups of up to four farmers and/or growers in Wales who have identified a local or specific problem or opportunity.

“Because these ideas are initiated by farmers themselves, they are really passionate about them, giving them 100% effort right from the start,’’ said Ms Williams.

Suitable projects must aim to improve production efficiencies and profitability whilst protecting the environment by aligning with sustainable land management outcomes. A guidance handbook is available on the Farming Connect website to help farmers scope their project and complete the application form.

Applicants must be registered with Farming Connect and be able to complete their projects by January 2026.