News in brief: April 2024

The clocks going forward has given us some welcome longer evenings following a dismal past six months of weather. For those with land to farm and estates to maintain, extra hours of daylight are going to be needed with a mounting list of spring work still to get on with. The year is shaping up to be a real period of change for landowners, with lots of decisions to be made about the long-term future of their assets. Here’s a rundown of some of the rural news headlines over the past month.   

Farming Recovery Fund opens 

After months of extreme rainfall, the Farming Recovery Fund has opened to support farmers impacted by flooding. Announced in January following Storm Henk, eligible farmers can access grant support of up to £25,000 to return their land to the condition it was in before the floods between 2-12 January 2024. The NFU welcomed the opening of the Fund but warned that farm businesses are under immense pressure following unprecedented rain. “Combined with input costs which have been soaring for two years, the awful impact of this extreme weather on farmers cannot be overestimated,” says NFU Vice President Rachel Hallos. “I have real worries for not just the financial situation of many NFU members, but also the impact this is having on them personally.” 

Government adds cap to SFI 

The government has placed limits on how much food can be taken out of production under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Under the changes, applicants will only be able to put 25% of their land into six SFI actions that take land out of direct food production. These actions are flower-rich grass margins, pollen and nectar flower mix, winter bird food on arable and horticultural land, grassy field corners and blocks, improved grassland field corners or blocks out of management and winter bird food on improved grassland. Farming Minister Mark Spencer said that food production is the primary principle of farming, and the cap clarifies that principle. “The six actions we are capping were always intended to be implemented on smaller areas of land, and these changes will help to maintain this intention and continue our commitment to maintain domestic food production,” he adds. 

Sheep worrying by dogs on the rise 

Reported to be the most frequently-occurring rural crime, sheep worrying continues to impact farmers across the UK, impacting both animal welfare and farmers’ mental wellbeing. The National Sheep Association’s (NSA) annual livestock worrying campaign reveals that attacks continue to rise, with 78% of rural crime police teams across the country reporting an increase in dog attacks on sheep over recent years. NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker says: "NSA urges farmers to report all attacks as we continue to strive to reveal the true alarming level of this problem. Only then can we hope for much needed legislation to be brought about that punishes those responsible for these crimes appropriately."  

Contracting price rises inevitable 

A new survey published by the National Association of Agricultural Contractors (NAAC) predicts an ‘inevitable’ price rise this spring. The survey of contracting prices for 2024 provides a national average to help benchmark when working out costings for an operation. Matt Redman, NAAC chairman says: "This is already a difficult and frustrating year for the whole industry, with high rainfalls and sodden ground frustrating efforts to get crops in the ground. However, all contractors must continue to review their price structures and keep steadfast on payment terms to ensure that businesses are able to continue to supply farmers with reliable, professional contracting services." 

Supermarkets add ‘buy British’ tabs to websites 

Seven major supermarkets have responded to an MP’s call for them to add ‘buy British’ tabs to their websites. Waitrose, the Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Aldi, Tesco and Ocado have all agreed to the move following an open letter written by Conservative MP Dr Luke Evans to the chief executives of eight major supermarkets. He requested a filter that would direct shoppers to homegrown food to help boost the economy and cut the UK’s carbon footprint. The letter was co-signed by 125 cross-party MPs. Dr Luke Evans says: “Implementing a ‘Buy British’ section online is a relatively simple change that gives consumers greater choice, supports our farmers and cuts down on unnecessary food miles. Better still, this hasn’t required any legislation; this is farmers, MPs, supermarkets and the public all working together – with Government backing – to make a change!”