Farming
Badger cull resumes in Gloucestershire
THE SECOND year of the fouryear badger culls in Somerset and Gloucestershire is under way.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “We are pursuing a comprehensive strategy supported by leading vets which includes cattle movement controls, vaccinating badgers in edge areas and culling badgers where the disease is rife.
This is vital for the future of our beef and dairy industries, and our nation’s food security.” “At present we have the highest rates of bovine TB in Europe. Doing nothing is not an option and that is why we are taking a responsible approach to dealing with bovine TB.”
The cull’s continuation follows a victory by the UK Government in a legal action brought to stop it taking place by protesters. Last year, 1,800 badgers were killed in the pilot areas of west Gloucestershire and west Somerset. Just under 1,000 are due to be killed this year. The government insists that culling is necessary but protesters argue shooting is not “effective or humane”.
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.
Farming
FUW President criticises Treasury response to Inheritance Tax changes
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Calls for urgent reconsideration
THE UK TRESASURY has been accused of dismissing serious concerns over proposed changes to Inheritance Tax, following a meeting with the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW) President Ian Rickman and other UK farming unions on Tuesday (Feb 18).
FUW President Ian Rickman expressed deep disappointment at what he described as a “dismissive response” from the Treasury, despite clear warnings about the potential economic, emotional, and cultural devastation the changes could inflict on Welsh family farms and rural communities.
“Together with other UK farming unions, we clearly outlined the risks these changes pose to the future of domestic food production and the viability of farms across Wales,” said Mr Rickman. “We also expressed our willingness to collaborate with the government and industry stakeholders to address the flaws in this ill-thought-out policy.”
However, Mr Rickman said the arguments had “fallen on deaf ears,” raising serious concerns about the Treasury’s figures. He highlighted the sharp rise in land prices, coupled with historically low farm profits, making it increasingly difficult for family farms to afford the expected Inheritance Tax bills.
“Given the financial pressures already facing Welsh agriculture, these tax changes would be unaffordable for a significant proportion of family farms,” he added. “We remain gravely concerned about the impact and will continue to liaise with our membership on the best way forward.”
The FUW has vowed to keep pressing for changes to the policy, warning that failure to act could have lasting consequences for Welsh farming and the rural economy.
Following reports that the Treasury meeting with farming groups this morning led to no resolution, Welsh Liberal Democrat Westminster Spokesperson David Chadwick MP said: “Labour is throwing Welsh farmers to the wolves, completely disregarding the importance of farming communities to our economy and environment.
“Their family farm tax could be the final nail in the coffin for many communities struggling to cope. It will worsen rural depopulation and damage the Welsh language, in addition to the serious impact on the economy.
“Labour must end their ideological war on the countryside, the Welsh Liberal Democrats will continue to fight tooth and nail to protect rural communities across Wales.”
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