Farming

Committee on Climate Change wrong on diet

Published

5 years ago

February 10, 2020

Livestock and dairy sector: Carbon calls not based on sound science

THE TFA has reacted to the report published by the Committee on Climate Change, which looks at the contribution of land-use towards achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
The TFA congratulated the committee for picking up on the unique issues which affect the tenanted agriculture sector towards achieving net-zero. However, the TFA has criticised the Committee for its call for a 20% reduction in the consumption of beef, lamb and dairy.
The Committee has identified that short-term farm tenancies and those with restrictive clauses, limit the extent to which tenant farmers can deliver long-term environmental objectives including those which help to sequestrate and store carbon including, through tree planting.
TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said “for years, the TFA has been arguing for a review of the taxation environment within which landlords make decisions to encourage longer-term tenancies. It is great news, therefore, that the Committee has echoed our call in its new report. I hope that these points can be picked up in time by the Treasury before the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivers his budget at the beginning of March. Now is the opportunity to encourage longer-term tenancies by incentivising those through the taxation framework – particularly through the manipulation of the inheritance tax relief available to landlords.”
However, the TFA has criticised the call for a reduction in meat and dairy consumption for not being based on sound science.
“UK livestock and dairy production are largely based on ancient grass systems which harvest considerable quantities of carbon from the atmosphere all year round. Grass farms are also massively efficient stores of carbon keeping it locked underground.
“Domestic livestock and dairy production is already carbon-efficient and it is wrong to be arguing that consumers should be reducing the quantity of those foodstuffs in their diets,” said Mr Dunn.
Recent scientific research has concluded that whilst methane is a problem greenhouse gas, it breaks down relatively quickly in the atmosphere and doesn’t accumulate like carbon dioxide. It is also only recycling the carbon that has been fixed through photosynthesis, not adding to the carbon load through releasing previously stored carbon.
“Tree planting is part of a package of solutions for dealing with increasing concentrations of carbon in the atmosphere. However, we appear to be rushing headlong towards a policy of massive expansion of tree cover and reductions in land use for livestock which would lead us to offshore our carbon issues by sucking in ever greater quantities of meat and dairy products produced to lower carbon standards abroad. The best thing that UK consumers can do in respect of their diets is to switch away from imported products and consume more of the livestock and dairy products produced at home,” said Mr Dunn.
“We must pause and draw breath while we consider proper systems-based approaches to the issues we need to resolve,” said Mr Dunn.

Crime

Farmer cleared of restraining order breach at Haverfordwest court

Published

3 hours 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

6 hours 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

6 hours 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.