ICEP Community News

Agri-environment payment review to reflect changes
PAYMENTS for agri-environment schemes in England are to be reviewed to reflect the changing market conditions.

Milk Marque money safe in food
COMMUNITY Foods, the company bought as an investment by Milk Marque in 2006, will be floated on a minor stock market as soon as economic conditions improve.

Potential of local food sector to boost returns and address food security
LOCAL food has the potential to increase sales to around £15.6 billion a year – but first action must be taken by industry, retailers and Government, said a new report.

Meat processor keen to support British farmers
Building strong relationships with farmers and ensuring supply chain transparency will be a priority for Vion UK, the new owners of the Grampian Country Food Group.

New weapon in fight against red mite
Poultry farmers have a new weapon in the battle against red mite.

Wet harvest raises fears of feed contamination
Farmers should be alert to contaminated feed this winter, with mould and mycotoxins brought about by the wet harvest possibly putting production and fertility at risk. And with this year's weather already conducive to fusarium mycotoxin development in growing cereals, the HGCA says farmers should be extra cautious.

Local food sales provide a lifeline to family farms, says report
Family farms are well-placed to ride out the credit crunch, with local food proving so popular that sales could be worth £15bn within a decade, according to a report which says the sector has the potential to supply 10% of the UK food and drink market.

EU Veterinary Week
An EU-wide campaign to raise awareness about animal disease prevention was launched today in Brussels.

• Raw milk price expected to remain stable this winter
• BTV-6 ‘could spread unchecked for a year’
• NFU threatens to walk out of TB Eradication Group
• Interest rates slashed - but debt costs will remain high
• New grain group aims to improve supply chain efficiency
• Credit crunch sees farm shops and farmers' markets at the sharp end
• Farm shop produce cheaper than supermarket food
• Food policy council: new chair announced
• Defra launches £6 million Greener Living Fund

October 2008

• Scientists discover yet another new bluetongue strain
• BASF braces itself for global recession
• Defra chiefs: only a farm between them
• Pneumonia risk raised by changeable weather
• 'Invest in biofuels, not science fiction,' says NFU
• Pig farmers launch film as part of fight for fairer prices
• Check the carbon footprint of your product
• Protection for two South Atlantic islands
• New guidance on waste facilities
• Milk drops 7ppl in United’s October auction
• Livestock farmers in devolved regions face big compensation cuts - BVA
• Tax relief on slurry stores may have strings attached
• NFU calls for industry to unite behind Red Tractor
• Beef supply chain must co-operate to ensure long-term supply
• DEFRA 2008 harvest estimates point to record wheat crop
• MEP raises concerns over EU poultry meat imports from China
• Defra hosts UNEP’s Green Economy launch
• ‘Zero Waste Places’ announced
• Investigation into pig industry as national herd numbers halve
• EU Commissioner calls for CAP beyond 2013 to maintain quality
• New cost sharing deadlock over cull
• Pain control needed earlier in mastisis
• OFT drops price-fixing case against six dairies
• NFU launches foot and mouth legal case
• Livestock market roadshows
• Flytipping decreased across England
• Pesticide proposals could devastate production, Dutch study warns
• Anger at set-aside plans
• Derogation alternative in electronic tagging row
• New book outlines methods and costs of reducing air pollution from poultry sheds
• Farmers 'confused' about what is expected of them by government
• NFU begins legal fight to overturn badger cull ban
• New council of food policy advisers
• Gordon Brown announces changes to Defra
• Fight must continue on fuel poverty

September 2008

• Politicians failing to recognise fake pesticide threat
• New member states demand SFP system scrapped
• Welsh TB plan advances while Benn does nothing
• English farmland values have peaked, survey suggests
• British Turkey industry launches legs come free campaign
• Woman catches bovine TB from garden badgers, report claims
• Local environment quality across England
• Save money, save energy, ACT ON CO2
• Nitrate vulnerable zones extended

August 2008

• Costs on farms up by more than a third
• Thousands more calves shot as farmers search a market
• England to be Bluetongue Protection Zone in September
• Don't let higher milk prices see the dust settle on milk contracts debate
• Summer grass keeps topper busy at Tregeiriog Farm
• Showers continue to disrupt, but brighter days ahead
• Science Advisory Council: open meeting
• Legal protection for rare pool frog
• Emissions trading auction: applications open
• China lift UK pig ban
• Tesco cheap milk sparks price war fears
• RPA to review 2005 ‘alternative investor’ NR claims
• Sugar growers to stick together for next round of price negotiations
• Pesticide proposals cast extra cloud over key spud event
• New techniques keep disease on the back foot
• Eat more kangaroos and save the planet
• GM crops to cause global disaster, Prince Charles says
• Making progress on municipal waste
• Sainsbury's higher welfare chicken sales up 60pc
• Ministers call on Government to reverse 4x4 tax hike
• New sugar deal 'smoke and mirrors' says grower
• Grain drying costs have doubled since 2006
• Early wheat yields produced in Lincolnshire while combines try to avoid the rain
• Bluetongue vaccination 'vital' as disease spreads in France
• Support for flood risk households
• New ways to tackle illegal wildlife poisoning
• Britain’s countryside celebrated during National Parks Week

July 2008

• Dairy farmers can take advantage of autumn prices
• Raising BSE age limit a step closer
• Government slaps £600m nitrates bill onto dairy industry
• Royal Welsh organisers hope to match 2006 attendance figures
• DEFRA is 'playing down the seriousness' of bovine TB, MPs say
• Calf exports under threat from Brussels
• Thousands of land girls receive badge of honour for war efforts
• Comprehensive audit of natural resources announced
• New initiative to help schools combat climate change
• Veal range provides new outlet for dairy bull calves
• Tesco put pressure on Mugabe by withdrawing trade
• Badge ceremony for Land Girls
• NFUS urges MPs to support calls for fuel regulator
• Why Horticulture Matters campaign launches
• Sheep EID would drive farmers out of the industry
• New pulse varieties look promising
• Soaring price of rare breed poultry attracts thieves
• Winter bean demands to be met in order to offset panic

June 2008

• GM trial destroyed by activists
• Scottish Agricultural Wages Board under threat
• NFU launches input cost monitoring initiative
• Royal Show entries hit as showground remains in bluetongue surveillance zone
• Chancellor invited to NFU president's farm
• Incorrect feeding pre and post calving has long term effects
• Flood protection measures for homes and businesses
• Guidance on pilot waste schemes
• Draft Floods and Water Bill
• Defra must implement flawed directive
• CLA hits out at ‘badly conceived’ coastal access plans
• Defra launches consultation for CAP 'Health Check'
• TB valuations case gets underway in London
• Call for enriched cage eggs to have its own stamp code
• Biofuels survive the UN Food Summit PLUS the facts about palm oil
• Cereals 2008: Breeders applaud arable turnaround
• New grants for biomass producers
• World Environment Day
• H7 avian flu strain is highly pathogenic
• Government defends biofuel targets
• FBI figures paint mixed picture for the industry
• Bluetongue vaccine withheld
• AI offers a big opportunity for suckler producers
• Avian flu case found in Oxfordshire
• International biodiversity commitments welcomed
• Recycling bins in public places
• Fuel poverty: new measures announced

May 2008

• Fuel price threatens rural business
• Industry groups urge EU to uphold US poultry ban
• Scottish minister calls for SAWS re-think
• Defra finally agrees sugar compensation deal
• Vets running short
• Old swards 30% less productive
• Reseeding grassland more worthwhile than ever
• Non-native species threat to be tackled
• New recycling zone launched
• New crop protection company enters Europe
• ARLA Foods UK standard litre price increase
• Last minute rush see most farmers meet SPS deadline
• Lifting standard chicken to a higher level of welfare
• NFU picks up Gold Medal at Chelsea Flower Show
• DEFRA claims to be 'on course' to hits its TB targets
• ‘State of the Natural Environment’ report published
• Google Earth: new vision of climate change
• Neighbourhood noise maps at the click of a mouse
• Budget for diesel costs
• Two days to go to submit SPS forms
• Vets’ legislation left in a mess
• Lentil-shaped slug pellets to be launched at Cereals 2008
• Labour shortage will hit harvest
• Farmers say Rural Payments Agency getting worse
• Draft Legislative Programme 2008-09
• Wasted food costs £10 billion: WRAP
• 'Good progress' on environmental stewardship
• UK milk production 'on the fence'
• Biofuel targets attacked by group of MPs
• 2007 flood damage could have been vastly reduced, conclude MPs
• More bluetongue vaccine on the way
• Land Rover marks 60 year anniversary with test drive comparison
• Egg packer looking to recruit new free range egg farmers
• Country still unprepared for floods
• Suffolk trials show easier care potential
• Environmental talent key to economic growth

April 2008

• Feed imports run the risk of BSE
• Time to replace black fuel with green fuel?
• New chapter begins for Westbury Dairies
• Think carefully about your vaccine, farmers urged
• Tesco introduces carbon labeling on potatoes
• Competition Commission report puts pressure on supermarkets
• Rhizomania-resistant beet makes it to the top of variety lists
• Waitrose adds ostrich to its egg range
• Bluetongue vaccine delivered
• Scottish decision major blow to wind farms
• Improving logistics in grain transport
• EU bioethanol production slump
• Downing Street announces funding boost to improve crop yields
• Gordon Brown told higher food prices are needed to boost production
• Fuel price rises push up contractors' costs
• Cold-pressed rapeseed oil goes from strength to strength
• OFT pays supermarket £100,000 in defamation case
• Fears for developing countries as cereal imports set to rise 56pc
• Rebuilding confidence in Brazilian beef will be a challenge
• New scientific centre formed
• European hypocrisy over GMOs
• New free-range unit helps students study
• McDonald's a real eye-opener for one Scottish beef farmer
• Pollen beetle resistance getting worse
• Bill Bryson launches anti-fly-tipping campaign
• Applications open for £4m bio-energy grant fund
• Improving local waste management
• Protecting the health of honey bees: consultation
• BBIS responds to call to maintain total ban on Brazilian beef
• Chief vet Landeg steps down
• Industry welcome badger cull decision
• Store cattle trade averaging £100 more than last year
• Fungicide investment is worthwhile, says Velcourt
• Improvements continue for English beef carcass quality
• Argentine president hits out at striking farmers
• Food strike plan for the UK splits farmer opinion
• Rush of land sales to beat capital gains tax deadline
• Benefits will follow changes to Moorland Line
• Mixed messages on organics
• Low retail prices will damage the industry, says MLC’s Barr
• Intervet gets licence for bluetongue vaccine
• UK on track to meet Kyoto targets
• Fighting climate change in homes and communities

March 2008

• Watson warns of possible ‘insanity’ of biofuels push
• Heinz cleared of misleading public over Farmers Market ads
• Dairy UK warns Government to re-think restrictions on junk food advertising
• Land Rover and Jaguar are sold by Ford to Indian giant - Tata
• Sainsbury's growth continues
• Running tractors on veg oil gets nearer
• Organic advisory service launched
• £2.5 million for renewable energy partnership
• National security challenges: climate change, flooding
• Survey shows attitudes towards GM crops are softening
• M&S hoping farmers can help power store
• EU Ministers agree 2 per cent milk quota increase
• Industry organisations urge farmers to JAB for bluetongue
• Simple ideas make a New Holland TF combine better
• Grass silage additives could improve yields by up to 4.4%
• Potential new Group 3 wheat launched
• Farming bodies unite to fight bluetongue threat
• Cutting carbon emissions across Whitehall
• Benn welcomes Budget 2008
• Helping local authorities fight climate change
• The Co-operative raises its standards for chicken
• EU vets slam UK's plan to control bluetongue
• High cow prices means now could be time to quit milk production
• European vets criticise UK’s ‘cost-cutting’ vaccination programme
• Severe winds shut down Cheltenham races
• Darling hits road users in the budget
• Agriculture groaning under Defra regulation
• Pig producers stage Downing Street price protest
• Horticulture expect huge labour shortage
• Clone calf sale criticised
• NFUS call for compulsory vaccination in fight against bluetongue
• 10 steps to a better return from fertilisers – even at today's prices
• NFU considers taking DEFRA to court over sugar U-turn
• Record early start for sugar beet drilling
• Payment capping dropped in latest 'health check' leaks
• Battle against litter continues

February 2008

• Dramatic rise in free range egg sales
• MEPs say 'no' to capping and extra modulation
• Brussels lifts Brazilian beef ban
• South-west livestock industry confident about the future
• Committee of MPs recommend badger cull
• UK horticulture looks jealously at Spanish investment
• Rally for fairer prices for UK pig producers
• Wrong cow is culled for bluetongue
• £400 million for low-carbon Britain
• Agricultural input costs rise by more than 7%
• Dont take higher prices for granted, farmers warned
• NFU Scotland: Food production must be a national priority
• Wales retains bluetongue disease-free status
• Young farmers can help influence European policy
• Benn announces new funding to kick start renewable energy development
• Bluetongue vaccination plan published
• Statutory review of 2050 climate targets
• Government offsetting code announced.
• Hilary Benn launches new water strategy for England
• Funding allocations to help tackle flooding and coastal erosion
• UK emissions figures down
• Single Farm Payment latest
• Sales of free-range chickens double at Tesco but affordable options also available
• Cattle movements ‘relatively unimportant’ in TB spread – Royal Society report
• OSR weed control more easily justified
• Three Devon farms for sale
• World-wide animal welfare campaign launched

January 2008

• Avian Influenza in wild swans in Dorset
• Recognising efforts of Women's Land Army
• Business shut down over worker safety issues
• Livestock sector faces new challenges
• NFU calls for ‘intelligent’ GM debate
• Emphasis on trade stands at the Dairy Show
• Massey Ferguson tractor and subsoiler monitor draft force to create soil maps
• DEFRA cost and responsibility farmer workshops - venues and dates
• Uncropped farmland to halve in 2008, says DEFRA
• Flooding update
• Impact of climate change on marine environment
• South west cauliflower production under threat
• New initiative announced to develop a UK beef market from male dairy calves
• Subsidy ‘main source of profit’ in farming industry
• Top EBV bulls lift returns in Harper Adams trials
• Dairy industry to benefit from government cookery plans
• Dairy farmers to receive premium for embracing sustainability scheme
• Farm Borrowing costs unlikely to fall dramatically, despite global stock market crash
• Defra publishes public attitudes research
• Avian Influenza H5N1 confirmed in Dorset
• Waste exports: better protection for developing countries
• Flying herds: Looking at heifer replacement policies
• Public procurement of local food is shocking, says CLA
• Diverse portfolio of West Sussex land launched
• Fourth swan confirmed with H5N1 at Dorset swannery
• Live auction marts still the best for prime sheep prices
• Benn defends avian flu surveillance strategy after Dorset delays
• Benn urges importance of caring for pets
• First breeding ewes return to the continent
• Former NFU horticulture chairman dies
• Calls for unspent £3m to be re-deployed
• Government has paid £63m in SPS fines - so far
• Bluetongue meetings for south west farmers
• Plant disease: Brown rust and sclerotinia are a threat
• Conventional cages for egg laying hens to go in 2012
• Southern Barometer's organic conversion limited by grain price lift
• Grow Your Food Business Sale
• Water affordability study shows cost benefits
• UK urges Japan to stop killing whales
• DEFRA has issued new guidance for farmers clarifying the Single Farm Payment
• A quarter of poultry producers likely to stop production over the next five years
• Second series of Kill it, Cook it, Eat it to focus on young animals
• Former Chief Vet in New Year Honours List
• What impact will new Brazilian beef restrictions have on trade?
• Royal Lancashire Show plans meet with objections
• Oxford Farming Conference to focus on climate change
• Grow Your Food Business Sale

December 2007

• UK announces new study on climate change adaptation in Bali
• Defra publishes action plan for natural environment
• Consultation on sharing costs and responsibility: animal health and welfare
• MPs call for action over poultry welfare
• Defra updates blueprint for exotic diseases
• RPA making progress but could still do better - NAO
• World population growth will provide UK farmers and contractors with new markets
• RSCPA Freedom food launches festive welfare campaign
• Farmers must contribute to cost-sharing debate - NFU
• Ministers prepare for Bali climate change summit
• FMD export restrictions lifted for the whole of the UK
• Flood funding request ignored
• Waitrose plans dairy-bred bull calf scheme
• National Holstein Show 2008 cancelled
• Tackling the problem of stress on farms
• Crops explains how HGCA Recommended List varieties are selected
• Wheat speed rating to enhance Recommended List
• MLC under attack for refusing pig levy 'holiday'

November 2007

• PM calls for global action on climate change
• Hilary Benn calls for collaboration for a sustainable farming future
• Chief scientist calls for more GM crops
• First Milk to develop Scottish processing facility
• NFU calls for ban on Brazilian beef
• Future labour demand ‘a key issue for agriculture industry’
• Import duties on cereals to be suspended
• Fertiliser at a price – if you can get it
• Majority of Welsh farmers to receive full SFP on Monday
• Grant Offers for Food
• Avian Influenza H5 confirmed on Suffolk/Norfolk border
• Low carbon cities in England to lead the way
• Risk of serious coastal flooding in Eastern England
• Crisis meeting for egg producers
• Government will 'proceed with caution' on biofuels
• Four more poultry farms to be culled out to stop avian flu spread
• Welsh dairy producers urged to pay more attention to contracts
• Welsh Assembly's dairy plan 'lacks strategy' to take industry forward
• NVZ proposals pose real threat to Welsh dairy farmers
• Latest information on Bluetongue controls
• ‘Green’ is the norm: public attitudes and behaviours
• UK support to combat illegal fishing
• Church speaks out against supermarkets
• Wide variation in yields as beet harvest progresses well
• EU to lift most export restrictions
• Careful breeding helps secure Shorthorn future
• Organisers turn attention to wider farming industry
• EU movement conditions ‘perverse’ and ‘unreasonable’ say NFU

October 2007

• Google launches carbon calculator