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Farming

Lord Mayor’s Show celebrates modern farming

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After the Lord Mayor’s Show: 9RX keeps working

After the Lord Mayor’s Show: 9RX keeps working

THE NATION is split over whether farming is a high-tech industry, according to a new survey commissioned by the NFU.

Results of the YouGov poll revealed 43 % of adults in the UK class farming as high-tech, compared to 38% of people who don’t. Another 19% were unsure.

On Saturday (Nov 14), the NFU, the Worshipful Company of Farmers and agricultural equipment manufacturer John Deere teamed up for this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show to demonstrate how farming has transformed itself into a modern, forward-thinking industry and adopted cutting-edge technology such as robotic milking systems, GPS, drones, solar energy and electronic identification of livestock.

The star of the show will be John Deere’s brand new 4-track 9RX tractor – one of the first in Europe. Alongside will be an immaculately restored John Deere model 4020 tractor, manufactured and registered in 1966, towing a trailer with stunning 3D graphics depicting a vibrant and futuristic industry that embraces science and technology.

Five young farmers, all who use different aspects of technology, accompanied NFU, Worshipful Company of Farmers and John Deere representatives, to promote farming to the crowds of more than half a million people expected to line the route of the three mile procession through the City of London.

NFU President Meurig Raymond said: “It’s great to see that nearly half the population recognise farming as a modern, high-tech industry and events such as the Lord Mayor’s Show allow us to promote that to a wider audience. The challenge we now face is to get that message out to those people who don’t realise agriculture is at the forefront of state-of-the-art cutting-edge technology.

“We know young people are very tech-savvy and I want them to be able to see the opportunities available to use those skills as part of a career in agriculture and its allied industries to help us deliver high quality food by developing an efficient, thriving, profitable and sustainable industry to meet the demands of a growing population.

“All of us at the NFU are very honoured to be once again partnering the Worshipful Company of Farmers and John Deere. I know the parade on Saturday will be the culmination of months of hard work and a huge team effort from all sides and I wish them the best of luck.”

John Martin from the Worshipful Company of Farmers said: “We are very grateful to the NFU and John Deere for their unerring help and support in getting the show on the road. Our entry is very exciting and I can’t wait for the thousands of people watching the parade either on the streets of London or on the television to see it.

“This year’s parade provided us with the ideal opportunity to showcase just how British agriculture has transformed itself with food and farming now very much at the top of the public’s agenda.”

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Farming

Farmers angered by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park’s pop-up campsite ban

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FARMERS and landowners in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park have expressed their frustration over plans to ban pop-up campsites, warning it could devastate their livelihoods.

In December 2024, Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority announced it would remove permitted development rights (PDR), which currently allow landowners to run campsites for 28 days a year without additional planning permissions. The move, enacted under Article 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, aims to protect the character of the area.

However, affected landowners argue the decision will negatively impact their ability to generate income, with some saying it could force them to leave the National Park altogether.

‘Devastating impact’

David Williams, who operates Clifftops Camping at Druidston, said the loss of his campsite’s income could force him to reconsider his way of life.

“I’m a professional photographer focusing on surfing, but there’s not much money in it,” said Mr Williams. “I’m also a computer programmer, but local businesses don’t have big budgets. The campsite provides vital income—losing it would be devastating. I might have to go back to full-time employment or even move. There’s not a lot of work for a programmer in Pembrokeshire.”

Mr Williams, who has lived in the National Park for 30 years, said the decision was a reaction to the unusually high tourist numbers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The summers of 2020 and 2021 were exceptionally busy because of travel restrictions,” he said. “But the last two summers have been normal, and Pembrokeshire has been quieter than it’s been in a decade. It feels like an overreaction.”

‘No issues, no complaints’

Another campsite operator, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed concerns that the ban would restrict the ability of small farms to diversify.

“I live on a small farm that doesn’t make a lot of money. The 28-day rule allowed us to set up a campsite without taking on too much risk,” they said. “We’ve been busy, which proves there is demand, and we’ve had no issues, no complaints from locals, and no problems with the council.

“I don’t understand what they’re trying to achieve by taking this away. At a time when we’re facing a cost-of-living crisis, they are shutting down a way for people to earn a second income.”

‘Draconian and out of step’

Dan Yates: Owns Pitchup.com

Dan Yates, founder of Pitchup.com, described the move as a “kick in the teeth” for farmers and landowners struggling to make ends meet.

Pitchup.com successfully campaigned to extend permitted development for campsites in England from 28 days to 60 days last year and has since lobbied the Welsh Government for similar changes. Mr Yates argued that expanding PDR could boost the Welsh rural economy by bringing in thousands of extra tourists.

“At a time when governments are recognising the positive impact of pop-up campsites and changing regulations accordingly, this move by Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority is both draconian and completely out of step,” he said.

“The new PDR regime in England has addressed many of the objections raised by introducing measures such as council notifications and excluding the most sensitive areas like SSSIs. The Welsh Government is now consulting on extending PDR, and if it follows England’s lead, this Article 4 decision would be unnecessary.”

Mr Yates added that with farming becoming increasingly difficult, particularly in Wales, farmers are being encouraged to diversify their income streams.

“Moves like this undermine confidence, take away choice, and leave those struggling to make ends meet feeling angry and alienated,” he said. “This is a devastating blow, and I urge Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority to reverse this decision.”

The ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026. A public consultation is open until February 21, allowing people to have their say on the issue.

More information on the consultation can be found here.

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Climate

Pembrokeshire planners to visit site of 9.99MW solar farm

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PEMBROKESHIRE planners are to visit the site of a proposed solar farm which would provide power for nearly 3,300 homes after concerns were raised about the loss of the most valuable agricultural land.

In an application before Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee meeting of February 18, members were recommended to approve a scheme by Wessex Solar Energy (WSE Pembrokeshire Ltd) for a 9.99MW solar farm and associated works at Lower Nash Farm, near Pembroke Dock.

The proposed scheme would be spread over three fields, amounting to approximately 14 hectares with some 25,000 PV panels on site, some 120 metres from the national park.

The development, some of it on Best and Most Versatile (BMV) Agricultural land, would provide approximately 3,296 households with renewable energy annually a report for members said.

A larger 22MW scheme covering 34.25ha was previously refused in 2021 due to the effect on BMV land.

Planning Policy Wales (PPW) requires that BMV agricultural land “should be conserved as a finite resource for the future with considerable weight given to protecting it from development,” adding: “Such land should only be developed if there is an overriding need for the scheme and either previously developed land or land in lower agricultural grades are unavailable.”

Welsh Government Soil Policy & Agricultural Land Use Planning Unit has objected to the latest scheme on BMV grounds, saying the return to agriculture as BMV agricultural land is “…seldom practicable”.

Four objections to the scheme were received, with local community council Cosheston raising concerns about the use of BMV land.

At the February meeting, agent Charlotte Peacock was questioned about the use of the BMV land by committee chair Cllr Simon Hancock, who said: “Farming and agriculture are fundamental to the security of this country; the way that the population is increasing we really need to ensure farmland is protected.”

The agent said the farmer landowner would receive a guaranteed income which would be more reliable than crop values, adding: “The greatest threat to future security is climate change, the single biggest threat to our output of crops.”

Local member Cllr Tessa Hodgson, as a public speaker, called for a site visit before any decision was made saying it was “surely better to use poorer land and brownfield sites” for such developments,” adding: “Does the permanent loss of prime agricultural land outweigh the benefit of renewable energy?”

Cllr Hodgson’s call for a site visit based on the land, the setting, the quality of the land, and access, was officially moved by committee member Cllr Mark Carter, seconded by Cllr Hancock.

11 members of the committee voted in favour of a site visit, against the officer recommendation of approval, with three abstaining.

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Education

Wales Farm Safety Partnership champions farm safety in schools

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THE WALES Farm Safety Partnership (WFSP) is proud to announce the success of Bob the Dog!

Bob, a Welsh Sheepdog is WFSP mascot and in conjunction with creating Bob, the partnership lead by Farming Connect have published 2 bilingual children’s books designed to promote farm safety awareness among young children in Wales. In addition to the books, the Welsh Whisperer has visited over 20 schools across Wales to engage children in interactive learning experiences about staying safe on farms, and sings his song ‘Diolch Byth am Bob’. If that was not enough the books have also been turned into animated cartoons available on YouTube!

Both books, Nice One Bob and Nice One Again, Bob, are available in both English and Welsh, ensuring accessibility for all children in Wales. The books feature engaging stories and colourful illustrations that teach children about potential hazards on farms, such as machinery, livestock, and chemicals, in a fun and age-appropriate way. 

“We are committed to educating the next generation about the importance of farm safety,” said Alun Elidyr, Welsh Television Personality and WFSP Ambassador. “By engaging children at a young age, we can instil lifelong safety habits and help reduce the number of farm-related accidents.”

The Wales Farm Safety Partnership’s efforts have been widely recognised and praised by educators, parents, and the farming community. The bilingual books have been distributed to schools throughout Wales and are also available on the Farming Connect website. The school visits have been met with enthusiasm from students and teachers alike, with many schools requesting repeat visits.

“The Wales Farm Safety Partnership’s work is essential in promoting farm safety awareness among young children,” said Rhian Lloyd, Ysgol T Llew Jones School, Ceredigion. “The bilingual books and school visits are valuable resources that will help keep children safe on farms.”

The WFSP is committed to continuing its efforts to promote farm safety awareness in Wales. The Partnership plans to expand its school visit program in the coming year and is developing additional resources to support farm safety education.

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