Farming

Former farming minister calls for Brexit

Published

9 years ago

January 26, 2016

Tom Sinclair

Farmers’ futures: Owen Paterson says better out than in

ADDRESSING farmers at the Oxford Farming Conference last week former DEFRA minister Owen Paterson described the upcoming vote on whether Britain stays or leaves the EU as the biggest historic decision since the Reformation.
But he suggested some farmers were suffering from Stockholm Syndrome – where hostages have positive feelings towards their captors – and would rather remain prisoners of the EU than exert British power and influence on the world stage.
The former Secretary of State, now a leading campaigner on the Conservative benches to get Britain out of the EU, rubbished the idea that farm subsidies would be radically cut by the Treasury if Britain left the Union.
He said: “Outside the EU it will be essential to continue a significant level of support from the UK Exchequer and to reassure farmers that payments would be made by the UK Government in the same way that non-EU members like Switzerland, Norway and Iceland currently do.
“In fact the payments made by these countries are actually more generous than those paid by the EU to member states.”
And questioned after his speech on what guarantees there would be that farm subsidies would be a priority for the Treasury, when measured against other budgets for services like health and education, he was dismissive of concerns because it suited his agenda to be so.
He pointed out that farming, food and drink was the biggest manufacturing industry in the UK, contributing £85 billion to the economy, and that every MP in the country would have businesses in their constituencies clamouring for support. He pointed out the EU currently spends £2.9 billion a year in farm subsidy for British farmers and the UK would be saving £9.8 billion in payment to the EU. He suggested there would be the potential to give even greater support to the rural economy in the event of Brexit.
And he said that as the fifth biggest economy in the world, Britain, going it alone, would get a seat at the table in global discussions on trade deals – rather than being represented by the EU as just one 28th of the European Union.
Mr Paterson told CLA President Ross Murray, who posed a question from the floor, that he was “very pleased” Prime Minister David Cameron had allowed Cabinet Ministers to campaign for Britain to leave. “This is not an internal Tory party row,” he said. “We have got support all across the country.” He said the polls and public opinion indicated the likelihood of a vote to leave was growing and a responsible UK government needed to prepare for that eventuality.
And he told NFU president Meurig Raymond that the British public trusted its government to spend money on defence, health, education and other services and it should trust them to keep up support for farming and the rural economy too, given its importance to the economy, the environment and the landscape.
Some commentators have pointed out that Mr Paterson’s record on predicting the future is a little less than stellar. While in charge of DEFRA, he piloted massive cuts to the UK Government’s flood prevention plans: the sort of policy success that led to his removal from the Cabinet in April 2014.
Mr Paterson’s confidence about the ability of Britain’s rural economy to thrive outside the EU was challenged by EU Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan who warned Britain, with a population of 60 million, was too small to win a place at the world negotiating table settling key issues on global trade.
And he asked farmers, on the second full day of the conference – now in its 70th year and a key talking shop for the agricultural industry – if they could be confident of getting the support they needed from their own government, when Defra’s budget had been cut by 24% since 2010 while the EU’s had fallen by just 3%.
Mr Hogan said he was actively working to get some of the changes Britain wanted to the Common Agricultural Policy – like an end to onerous ‘greening’ rules and the three crop rule. And he said Britain already got its way 75% of the time on EU issues. Mr Hogan also suggested it was sometimes the British government’s own fault that it failed to get a better deal when it came to amending policy.
He said: “The NFU was correct recently when it pointed out that national “gold-plating” of EU legislation imposes an extra burden on British farmers and that, in the words of Deputy Director General Martin Haworth, “some of the most difficult regulations are national regulations.”
Mr Hogan said it was not his job to tell British farmers – or the public at large – how to vote in the in-out referendum when it is held, probably later this year.
But he concluded: “How would Britain with a population of 60 million fare in negotiating with countries like China, with a population 1.3 billion? In the EU it punches at a weight of 500 million, almost twice the size of the US. It could take the UK years to negotiate deals with Korea, Canada and so on – deals the EU has already successfully negotiated.”
Mr Hogan told the conference: “I remain adamant that the stability brought by the Common Agricultural Policy has provided, and is providing, the foundation for economic growth and jobs in rural areas and all along the food chain.”

Farming

Farmers urged to strengthen biosecurity after Avian Influenza detected in sheep

Published

1 day ago

March 26, 2025

Tom Sinclair

DETECTION of avian influenza (H5N1) in a sheep in Yorkshire is a reminder for all farms to maintain tight biosecurity, particularly on farms with mixed poultry and livestock.

Although UK Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss says the risk to livestock remains low, she urges all animal owners to have ‘scrupulous cleanliness in place’ and to report any signs of infection to the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) immediately.

While this is the first time this virus has been reported in a sheep, it is not the first instance of influenza of avian origin being detected in livestock, with cases of infection in dairy cows reported in the US.

However, Dr Middlemiss is urging all livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of avian influenza following recent outbreaks.

“All keepers must maintain good biosecurity which is essential to protect the health and welfare of their animals and critical to preventing the further spread of disease in the event of an outbreak,” she said.

Nigel Bennet, Livestock Area Manager Northern Europe at biosecurity specialists Roam Technology, which recently incorporated Biocidas Biodegradables Zix (BBZix), a Spanish biosecurity specialist, into its business, says every farm should be reviewing and strengthening its biosecurity protocols.

“Prevention is our strongest defence. This means restricting unnecessary visitors, disinfecting clothing and equipment, and closely monitoring animal health.”

He has outlined seven key areas farmers should be aware of to maximise their frontline defences. They include:

Develop a biosecurity plan: Work with your vet to establish a clear biosecurity plan, including physical barriers, hygiene protocols, and emergency procedures.
Cleaning and disinfection: Thoroughly clean and disinfect all vehicles, boots, equipment, and housing using DEFRA-approved disinfectants. Visitors should use foot baths and dedicated protective clothing. Roam Technology’s Huwa-San TR50, a DEFRA-approved disinfectant, offers a powerful, stabilised hydrogen peroxide solution that provides long-lasting protection against harmful pathogens.
Monitor farm access: Restrict and track visitor access to minimise disease risks. Designate parking away from livestock, use wheel washes, and ensure tradespeople follow hygiene protocols. Mr Bennet says: “A farm should not be an open-door environment—every entry point carries risk.”
Quarantine: New or returning stock must be quarantined for at least 21 days, housed separately, and monitored for disease. Use this period for testing and vaccination before integration.
Rodent and wildlife management: Secure feed storage and effective pest control help prevent disease transmission from wildlife. Maintain fencing to reduce contact with infected animals and minimise standing water to control disease-spreading insects.
Optimise housing: Ensure good ventilation, clean high-traffic areas, and maintain water hygiene.
Monitoring: Daily health checks help detect disease early and prevent outbreaks. “Knowing your animals and spotting illness early is crucial for disease control,” said Mr Bennet. “Stay vigilant and keep biosecurity tight.”
Mr Bennet added: “This case of H5N1 in sheep highlights the need for constant vigilance. Biosecurity isn’t just about responding to outbreaks; it should be a year-round priority to protect farm businesses and animal welfare.

“Farmers must remain proactive in safeguarding their livestock from potential disease threats. With the right biosecurity measures and effective solutions like Huwa-San TR-50 and Roam Eco Power cleaning solution, we can protect both animal health and farm livelihoods,” he said.

Avian influenza is notifiable in all poultry and other captive birds and influenza of avian origin is notifiable in both kept and wild mammals. If you suspect your animals are infected report it immediately to the APHA by calling 0300 303 8268 in Wales .

Farming

Welsh Government announces new action on animal antibiotic resistance

Published

3 days ago

March 25, 2025

Tom Sinclair

£2 million funding and new expert group to lead the next phase

THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced new steps to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals, including £2 million in funding and the creation of a new expert group to guide future work.

The announcement follows the final review of the 2019–2024 AMR in Animals and the Environment Implementation Plan, Wales’ first coordinated approach to tackling resistance in the animal and environmental sectors.

A new Wales AMR Animal Health Group has been set up to provide expert advice and support the development of the next five-year plan. The new strategy – the Animal AMR Control Plan for Wales (2025–2029) – will be aligned with the UK National Action Plan and continue to follow a ‘One Health’ approach, linking public health, animal health and the environment.

Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Rural Affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, said:
“To support our plans, I have awarded £2 million of funding to the Arwain DGC (Defnydd Gwrthfaicrobaidd Cyfrifol) consortium.
“Arwain have a proven track record in delivering effective controls. This new phase will allow us to continue positioning Wales as a world leader in tackling AMR and promoting the responsible use of antibiotics.
“This investment will support vital monitoring, training and engagement work, helping to make sure antibiotics remain effective for future generations.”

The funding will support phase three of the Arwain programme, which will include:

Continuing the Veterinary Prescribing Champions Network across 44 Welsh veterinary practices

Collecting antimicrobial usage data from at least 4,500 Welsh farms

On-farm sampling to monitor AMR in cattle and sheep

Creating a new AMR Academy to provide training for vets and farmers

Wales’ Chief Veterinary Officer, Richard Irvine, said the risks of antimicrobial resistance continue to grow: “The effects of AMR are disruptive and costly, not just for animal keepers and vets, but for wider society.
“Drug-resistant organisms pose direct risks to both animals and people, and can spread through the environment. That’s why our One Health approach is so important.”

The Welsh Government said tackling AMR is not something government can do alone, and urged vets and animal keepers to work together to help meet Wales’ targets on antimicrobial resistance.

Farming

Latest Bovine TB statistics ‘worrying for local farming sector’

Published

4 days ago

March 24, 2025

Tom Sinclair

PRESELI Pembrokeshire Senedd Member Paul Davies has raised concerns over the latest
Bovine TB statistics published by the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food
& Rural Affairs.

*Highlighting the issue: Paul* Davies MS

The latest statistics show that 4,580 cattle were slaughtered in 2024, a 24.11% increase on
the previous year’s figure of 3,690.

The total number of cattle slaughtered in Wales was 13,034.

Mr Davies said, “The latest Bovine TB statistics show that more and more cattle are being
slaughtered in Pembrokeshire and it’s a huge concern.”

“The figures show the Welsh Government’s policy for tackling Bovine TB simply isn’t working
and a more holistic approach must be considered.”

“Bovine TB has plagued farmers in Pembrokeshire for years, at a huge economic and
emotional cost.”

“Cattle cannot continue to be slaughtered in their thousands, it’s not sustainable and farmers
are right to be angry about these latest statistics.”