Farming
Glyphosate crisis continues
THOUGH THE EU Commission has announced that it will be attempting to secure an 18 month relicensing approval for glyphosate – the world’s most widely used herbicide which is currently mired in controversy over its possible health impacts – member state ministers who rejected previous licensing proposals from the Commission have stuck to their guns ahead of a planned vote.
Responding to the Commission’s proposed temporary relicensing – pending the findings of a report the EU executive has commissioned from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – French environment minister Segolene Royal said France will not change its mind on glyphosate and will not vote in support of the Commission’s proposal.
Germany’s environment ministry has also confirmed on Twitter that it won’t alter its stance next week. Due to the different positions on glyphosate held by Germany’s environment and agriculture departments (controlled by two different political parties making up the country’s coalition government), officials have said Germany will abstain in any glyphosate vote.
COMMISSION’S PROPOSALS ‘UNACCEPTABLE’
Ministers from Sweden, Italy Portugal and Austria have all expressed opposition to the Commission’s past proposals, backing the published opinion of the World Health Organisation’s cancer research arm IARC on glyphosate; last year, IARC classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen, though a subsequent review by EU health watchdog EFSA reached the opposite conclusion, sparking a spat between high ranking scientists from the two agencies.
On Wednesday, Green MEPs in the European Parliament reacted to EFSA’s proposal to make scientific papers which influenced its decision on glyphosate – but were not available to IARC, which operates to strict transparency guidelines – available in a private reading room, which was set up to use for viewing sensitive documents relating to TTIP (the trade deal being brokered between the EU and United States) and tax.
EFSA’s suggestion was made in response to a freedom of information request submitted by four MEPs. The Greens’ spokesperson on the issue, MEP Heidi Hautala, commented: “this culture of radically limited transparency, whereby MEPs can only access a secret room without their phones, laptops and sometimes even pens or paper, should only be applied in extreme cases, and should not be used in response to public access to documents requests”.
The current approval period for glyphosate is set to expire at the end of June. In April, the European Parliament voted to approve a shorter relicensing of glyphosate, but with heavy restrictions on its use – including bans on use in public parks, restricting sales to professionals only and preventing pre-harvest use of glyphosate as a desiccant.
In its latest, temporary proposal the Commission recommends minimising these practices, but does not commit to an outright ban.
NO BACKING DOWN
Commenting on the temporary renewal plan on Wednesday, EU Greens’ environment and food safety spokesperson Bart Staes stated: “This proposal for a ‘technical extension’ has to be seen as the Commission backing down, after its failure to bulldoze through the re-approval of glyphosate following heavy industry lobbying.
“While it means an eleventh hour reprieve for glyphosate, this is hopefully only temporary and this should be the beginning of the end for this toxic product.”
The NFU has revealed that its vice president Guy Smith has met with EU Health Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis, who tabled the Commission proposal on Wednesday.
Speaking after a second vote on glyphosate was delayed last month, Mr Smith said: “I am nothing short of exasperated as to why this key herbicide cannot simply and quickly be given the reauthorisation that has been recommended by EFSA – the appropriate EU scientific body.
“Some member states in the committee are prevaricating and wasting time when they could be taking decisions based on scientific evidence. Glyphosate is a pesticide which allows farmers to combat weeds while supporting cultivation methods that can preserve good soil structure. There is no sense behind this delay.”
SHOULD HAVE BEEN BANNED ALREADY
Green MEP Bart Staes added, “The EU will now have to finalise its assessment of the health risks with glyphosate, both as regards it being a carcinogen and an endocrine disruptor. However, glyphosate’s devastating impact on biodiversity should have already led to its ban.
“The significant public mobilisation and political opposition to reapproving glyphosate has been taken seriously by key EU governments and the Commission has been sent back with its tail between its legs.”
He continued: “The whole controversy surrounding the re-approval of glyphosate has revitalised the debate about Europe’s agricultural model and the dependence on toxic substances in the current system.
“This is already starting to filter through the policy-making process, with the Dutch EU presidency having flagged up the debate this week. This opportunity now needs to be seized [in] fundamentally reorienting the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy towards a more sustainable agricultural model.”
FARMERS ASKED TO DO THE IMPOSSIBLE
In an open letter to EU policymakers and officials on June 3, the NFU wrote: ‘The removal of such a tool carries the very real risk of yet another pressure on our incomes at a time when economic returns are already severely squeezed.
The arable sector will likely be hardest hit through any restrictions, with direct impacts on yields.
‘Loss of availability in the livestock and dairy sectors would result in an inability to tackle invasive and poisonous species in grassland and plant pests and diseases across all farm types.
These effects would directly hit farmers’ margins too. Europe would therefore be at a further disadvantage to other nations, who face no such restrictions, but who we are increasingly trading with.
‘Farmers are being asked the impossible. On one hand farmers are encouraged to improve and compete, yet we have tools that allow us to do so directly threatened with no like-for-like alternatives in place.’
Farming
Special farming role for senior Pembrokeshire councillor
AN OFFICIAL special farming role for Pembrokeshire’s deputy leader is to be established following a call made to full council, the first time the council has had such a role for a senior member.
In a question to council leader Cllr Jon Harvey, heard at the December meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting, Conservative group leader Cllr Di Clements asked: “With the recent changes in the budget from the UK Labour Government on Inheritance Tax and Agricultural Property Relief, many Pembrokeshire farmers are feeling concerned for the future of their family farms, many in Pembrokeshire which have been in the same family for generations.
“I have always found it disappointing that in all the years I have been a councillor, and the major contribution farming has to this county’s economic, cultural and environmental well-being, there has never been a Cabinet Member’s title with rural affairs or farming, or agriculture within it.
“To show that this council recognises the importance of agriculture, and the hundreds of millions of pounds generated by farming, will the Leader consider including it in one of the titles of his Cabinet Members’ portfolio?”
Responding, Cllr Harvey said: “I full share your perspective; it’s true this council has never had a Cabinet member with this role; however I can reconsider, I regard all aspects of rural life as vitally important.”
He told members farming and rural affairs came under the portfolio of the deputy leader [Cllr Paul Miller], adding: “we’re all aware of the changing aspects of rural life at the moment, we do have a rural affairs champion in Cllr Steve Alderman, but I’ve had a conversation with the deputy leader and agreed to review this title to reflect the importance of the role and will happily make an announcement in the next few days.”
Cllr Clements responded: “These words say a lot, it shows this council recognises the importance of the most constant and probably most important business in the county.”
Farming
Call for Pembrokeshire to oppose farming inheritance tax withdrawn
A CALL on Pembrokeshire County Council to oppose government changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms has been withdrawn, but its proposer hopes his motion will return to a future meeting.
At the Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced farmers would have to pay inheritance tax on agricultural property and land worth more than £1 million at a rate of 20 per cent, with a £3m threshold for couples passing on their farms.
This compares to a 40 per cent rate on other estates.
A Notice of Motion by Councillor Aled Thomas, ‘relating to Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities’ was to be heard at the December 12 meeting of Pembrokeshire County Council’s full council meeting.
Cllr Thomas, who stood as a Conservative candidate for Ceredigion-Preseli in the 2024 general election, asked that: “Pembrokeshire County Council notes its concern to the proposed changes to inheritance tax announced by the Labour Government in the recent Autumn budget, which would scrap Agricultural Property Relief (APR).
“APR has been instrumental in allowing British family farms to remain intact across generations, supporting food security, sustaining rural communities, and aiding environmental stewardship. This tax is estimated to impact over 70,000 family farms, leaving the average farming family with a tax bill of at least £240,000, which will force many to sell portions of their land or close entirely, paving the way for corporate ownership over family ownership.”
It called on the council to resolve to “oppose the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms,” to “advocate for the exemption of family farms to preserve the UK’s food security, rural communities, environmental initiatives,” and to “commit to maintaining its county council farms portfolio, particularly to encourage younger and new generations of farmers into the industry”.
It finished: “This council urges all councillors to stand with Britain’s family farms, to support our rural communities, and to protect the environment by formally rejecting this proposed ‘family farm tax’.”
At the December 12 meeting Presiding Member Cllr Simon Hancock informed members the notice had been withdrawn from the meeting.
Speaking after the announcement, Cllr Thomas, himself a farmer, said: “There was a dispute whether I should have been allowed to submit it as I am a farmer, so I took advice from the monitoring officer that I should withdraw it until I can get a dispensation from the standards committee to speak on the matter.”
He said he hoped to get the motion resubmitted to be heard at the next council meeting.
Farming
Welsh Lamb shines at the Winter Fair Taste Awards
THE ROYAL WELSH WINTER FAIR TASTE AWARDS, showcasing the finest native lamb breeds of Wales in a celebration of sustainability, flavour and culinary excellence, were hosted by the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS).
The awards, held in collaboration with Cambrian Training Company, the Culinary Association of Wales and the National Culinary Team Wales, spotlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh Lamb and its unique characteristics.
The competition aimed to promote native Welsh Lamb breeds and emphasise their distinct flavours, encouraging chefs, businesses and consumers to consider Welsh Lamb a premium product.
The RWAS says the competition provides a vital platform to showcase the exceptional flavours of native Welsh Lamb breeds while promoting sustainable farming practices.
These lambs are grass-fed, raised in Wales and come with full traceability from farm to fork. The initiative aims to highlight the story behind the meat and the dedicated efforts of farmers in preserving these breeds.
Societies representing seven native Welsh Lamb breeds participated in the competition, held at the Cambrian Training Company building on the Royal Welsh Showground at Llanelwedd.
Each breed’s lamb was expertly cooked by chefs and presented to a distinguished panel of judges, including Dilwyn Evans, a vet featured on TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’, Steven Owen, Castell Howell development chef, Neil Fenn, Professor Rhian Goodfellow, OBE and Arwyn Watkins, OBE, executive chair of Cambrian Training Group.
The breeds showcased included Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Torddu and Torwen), Balwen Welsh Mountain, Black Welsh Mountain, Clun Forest, South Wales Mountain, Llanwenog and Pedigree Welsh Mountain.
Each lamb had been bred, born and reared in Wales, ensuring sustainable and traceable farming practices.
The awards highlighted the diversity among native Welsh Lamb breeds, from the Torddu and Torwen’s hardy nature to the Llanwenog’s docile temperament and premium meat quality.
Farmers and breed societies demonstrated the unique traits of their lambs, such as flavour, sustainability and adaptability to diverse farming environments.
Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I. T. Davies & Son (Clun Forest) were declared joint winners of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards. Both breeds impressed the judges with their remarkable flavour, tenderness and quality, showcasing the very best of Welsh Lamb.
The event emphasised the importance of promoting the culinary excellence of Welsh Lamb alongside its visual appeal in show rings.
Guest judge, Dilwyn Evans said: “It has been an absolute honour to judge the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards and experience first-hand the superior taste of native Welsh Lamb.
“This exceptional meat not only embodies the rich heritage and dedication of Welsh farming but also highlights the importance of preserving these unique breeds and the sustainable practices behind them.”
The RWAS thanked the judges and Cambrian Training Group for their continued support, helping ensure the lambs were cooked to perfection for the competition.
With the awards, Wales has cemented its position as a leader in premium lamb production, bringing the exceptional flavours of its native breeds to the forefront of the culinary world.
Pictured top of page: Taste Test joint winners, Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I.T . Davies (Clun Forest) with the judges.
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