News & Business IN BRIEF Cereals success in


Cambridgeshire Some 18,000 people attended last month’s new- look Cereals event, held at Chrishall Garnge, near Duxford, Cambridgeshire – were 2,000 down last year. But the new layout was well received. “We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback,” said event director Jon Day.


Concern at exceptionally dry


June Lack of rain following an exceptionally wet spring is hampering grain fill on many farms. Last month was mostly dry – especially in the south of the region. Essex farmer and NFU deputy president Guy Smith tweeted: “A dropless June and a farm out of tune.”


Pledge on plants


and flowers The NFU used British Flowers Week to launch a Plants and Flowers Pledge – challenging retailers to back British growers by committing to delivering fairness in the supply chain. The pledge ensures ornamental suppliers are treated fairly by supermarket buyers.


Children get up


close to farming More than 3000 primary school children attended the Essex Schools Food and Farming Day, held on 6 June at Writtle University College, near Chelmsford. Activities included tractor driving and the Minute Milk Challenge, with Annabelle the cow.


4 ANGLIA FARMER • JULY 2018


Gove prepares to unveil farm bill


by end of July • Detail on farm policy within weeks • Call for clarity on delivery and timing • MPs want ring-fenced farm funds


D


efra secretary Michael Gove will outline the gov- ernment’s plans for farm-


ing post-Brexit in an Agriculture Bill expected to be published be- fore the end of this month. Mr Gove made the announce- ment while giving evidence to the MPs on the House of Commons Select Committee. If he sticks to the timetable, it means the Agri- culture Bill will be published up to six months earlier than previ- ously expected.


Mr Gove told MPs that civ- il servants were working their way through 44,000 responses that were submitted to the gov- ernment’s Health and Harmony consultation on the government’s proposals for farming. He said: “I hope that the bill will be pub- lished before the recess – that is our aim.”


Shortcomings Acknowledging problems around Defra schemes such as country- side stewardship, Mr Gove said he hoped things would improve over the coming months as the government took action to ad- dress shortcomings.


Earlier, the committee called on the government to ring-fence funding for farming post-Brex- it, provide much greater details on its new support mechanisms for farmers, and ensure environ- mental and welfare standards are maintained on products entering Britain.


Committee chairman Neil


Parish said: “A new funding model for agriculture is essen- tial for the future prosperity of UK farming. As we leave the EU we must ensure that we maintain our standards, and that those im- porting into the UK meet our high standards of production.”


Funding the future


The government should commit to funding the future agricultur- al policy using ring-fenced funds, consider new support mecha- nisms such as tax breaks and capital grant support, ensure that imported food products meet UK standards, and avoid a regulato- ry race to the bottom. The warning follows an com-


mittee inquiry into the govern- ment’s proposals for agriculture. Withdrawing direct payments


Attractive block of land on market at Silsoe


An opportunity has arisen to purchase a block of ag- ricultural land at Silsoe in Bedfordshire. The land is on the market for £400,000.


The 49.56-acre (20.04 hectare) block of produc- tive grade 3 arable land at Silsoe in Bedfordshire is on the market with Berrys. Most of the land is sown to winter wheat, with two smaller parcels left as fal- low. It is offered for sale by private treaty with a guide price of £400,000.


Michael Gove (centre) on a farm visit during last month’s Open Farm Sunday


will have a varied impact be- tween sectors, and particular- ly damaging effects will be felt by grazing livestock, cereal and mixed farms, it says. The committee’s report calls on the government to produce a thorough sectoral assessment of these impacts to identify support for small and medium-sized farms and should commit to ring fenc- ing the funds released to fund the rural economy and environment. “Defra’s consultation is ambi- tious and we welcome much of its intent,” said Mr Parish. But he added: “There is a notable lack of detail in the government’s paper, however, and we seek more clarity on funding, delivery, and timing.”


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