Farming
Farmers react to Budget
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Absence of broadband announcement disappointing: Meurig Raymond
THE CHANCELLOR’S Budget has been received with mixed reaction by farmers and the food industry.
Delivered on Wednesday, (Mar 16), George Osborne’s financial plans have been received with mixed reaction by farmers and the food industry.
In what will probably grab the biggest headlines across the industry, the Chancellor has announced a sugary drink levy on soft drinks manufacturers. The Government will consult on how the levy will work and which products will be covered, but there was some re-assurance that it wouldn’t include milk based drinks or pure fruit juices.
Elsewhere a continued focus on corporation tax cuts does nothing to help the 90% of UK farm businesses who are unincorporated and are struggling in the current economic climate. For the next generation of farmers, news that the Government will top up a new ISA saving system (£1 given for every £4 saved) until the saver is 50 will be welcome for those who are in a position to save.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said : “I had really hoped that the Chancellor would have recognised by now that all parts of the economy should benefit from tax simplification, as it is there is little support for capital investment on farm for buildings and reservoirs.”
Mr Raymond continued: “We are disappointed that nothing new was announced to boost the provision of superfast broadband to the last 5%, who are predominantly farmers and those living in rural communities. It’s particularly disappointing that the Chancellor has announced nothing to help mitigate the additional costs and pace of introducing the national living wage from April this year.
“News that the country will invest £700m more in its flood defences will be welcomed by the many farmers and their families who have faced devastating damage this winter. But we should be clear this is funded by an increase in insurance premiums for all. I am also seeking assurance that the planned £40m per year increase in maintenance expenditure will protect deserving rural communities as well as urban areas.”
He added: “We will study the implications of the proposed levy on sugary drinks and respond to the Government’s planned consultation, but it is reassuring that the Chancellor confirmed that neither milk based nor pure fruit juices will be included in the levy.”
Responding to the headline grabbing tax on sugary drinks, FUW President Glyn Roberts said: “This is very welcome news as we aim to have a healthier population. Current levels of obesity are unsustainable and the obesity problem among young people is so bad that the present generation of parents may be the first to bury their children.”
“As such we advocate a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet and milk has a part to play in that.
“In light of this we welcome that milk-based drinks are excluded from the sugar tax and encourage parents to ensure that their children get to drink the recommended amount of milk per day,” he added.
The Union further welcomed that fuel duty is to be frozen for the sixth year in a row as a rise could have a devastating effect on the Welsh farming industry.
“Fuel price rises could have a devastating result for farmers and all the rural communities in general as a car is essential in the countryside with public transport being so poor,” said Mr Roberts.
Commenting on the Capital Gains Tax cut from 28 % to 20 %, and from 18 % to 10 % for basic-rate taxpayers, FUW Director of Finance David Parker said: “This is a positive move for any farmers who are selling any or all of their farm.
“We must also welcome the Commercial stamp duty 0% rate on purchases up to £150,000, 2 % on next £100,000 and 5 % top rate above £250,000.
“The young person’s ISA is of importance to self-employed people enabling up to £4000 p.a. to be saved tax free up to the age of 50 with government adding 25 % bonus to savings.
“This is possibly where the wider pensions market will be heading over the next few years with tax relief on the receipt of pensions rather than tax relief at the point of saving.
“This provides a new vehicle for younger self-employed people to commence pension savings aided by the government contribution and must be welcomed,” he added.
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’
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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.
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.
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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