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UK has ‘clear commitment’ to protect standards
Legislation will not be necessary for upholding food import standards in the UK, a senior government minister has said.
Securing a legally binding guarantee on food imports has been a key priority for UK farming unions.
However, speaking in the House of Commons, Defra secretary George Eustice said that there was a “clear commitment” in the Conservative Party manifesto to protect food standards in post-Brexit trade deals.
“Our view is that the right way to do that is through getting our mandate and approach to the negotiations right, and not necessarily by attempting to draft something in legislation,” Eustice said.
Taking questions from MPs, the Defra secretary was asked about the importance of locally produced food in the UK, given the ongoing pressure on supply chains with the coronavirus pandemic.
“Events such as those we are experiencing now remind everyone that a critical component of our food security is healthy and vibrant domestic production,” Eustice responded.
BVD testing continues as normal
Farmers should continue posting tissue tag samples for BVD testing as normal, Animal Health and Welfare NI (AHWNI) has advised.
At present, coronavirus has not impacted on the postal service and BVD testing laboratories are still in operation.
“There are no delays to approved laboratory turnaround times. However, it is possible that the turnaround times may increase during the pandemic,” guidance published by AHWNI reads.
Nitrates derogation window closing
The window for applying for nitrates derogation in NI closes on Tuesday 31 March.
A derogation allows a farm’s organic nitrogen loading rate to increase from 170kg/ha/year to 250kg/ha/year.
With nitrogen excretion rates for some livestock types changing under the new Nutrient Action Plan, NI farmers should check their loading rate to avoid potential cross compliance penalties.
An online tool is available on DAERA online services under “CAFRE Nutrient Calculator”.
RHI buyout mechanism suspended
The Department for the Economy (DfE) has suspended a voluntary buyout mechanism for participants in the non-domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).
In October 2019, the buyout opened for boiler owners who no longer wanted to be part of RHI.
It offered an upfront payment equivalent to a 12% rate of return on boiler investment, minus total RHI payments received to date.
In effect, most scheme participants were not eligible for the buyout.
However, anyone that did apply has now received a letter from DfE stating that the commitment in the New Decade, New Approach deal to close RHI to all claimants has meant the voluntary buyout has had to be stopped.
“This […] is essential to ensure equitable treatment of all participants as the options for the future of the non-domestic scheme are developed,” the DfE letter reads.
Social distance with agri contractors
Farmers have been reminded to use social distancing when communicating with agricultural contractors during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Farmers should minimise face-to-face interaction with contractors on their farm as much as possible,” said Ulster Farmers’ Union deputy president Victor Chestnutt.
He suggests that farmers should use mobile phones when giving contractors details about work that needs carried out.
Contractors are listed by the UK government as “key workers” and are therefore exempt from the requirement to stay at home.
“They’re as vital to the food production process as farmers and we need their service to continue throughout this pandemic,” Chestnutt said.
Mental health
Meanwhile, with all social interaction being restricted, UFU rural affairs chair, Jennifer Hawkes has highlighted the potential impact on wellbeing of farm families.
Farmers can contact Rural Support on 08001381678 should they need support or advice during this pandemic.
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