RHI tariffs being finalised

Officials in the Department for Economy (DfE) are finalising long-term tariff rates for the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) and will publish the plans early in the new year.

With no minister in place at DfE, officials plan to legislate through NI Secretary of State Karen Bradley.

“The Department is working with NIO on an appropriate time frame to ensure an opportunity for parliamentary scrutiny when taking legislation through Westminster,” a DfE spokesperson said last week.

The new long-term plan for RHI payments will replace the current temporary regulations which expire at the end of March 2019.

Meanwhile, a renewable heat scheme is being developed in the Republic of Ireland, and recently published figures from the Irish Government suggest that a 320kW woodchip boiler could have a 3.4-year payback under initial tariff rates.

The group, which represents owners of RHI-accredited boilers in NI, has said the Irish figures call into question DfE’s reasoning for cutting RHI tariff rates in NI in April 2017.

“DfE has always said the maximum rate of return they could permit was 12%, or an eight-year payback. If the Irish scheme is legal and in accordance with state aid rules, why are DfE pushing in the opposite direction, other than because they went over budget?” questioned Andrew Trimble from the Renewable Heat Association

Mixed reaction to immigration plan

Proposals published by the British government last week on post-Brexit immigration policy in the UK has received a mixed reaction from the agri-food sector.

Concerns have been raised over proposals that skilled migrant workers from both EU and non-EU countries will need to earn a minimum salary of £30,000 to be eligible for a five-year visa, while non-skilled workers will only be eligible for one-year visas.

“As currently proposed, it would cause massive problems for businesses which employ non-UK workers on a permanent basis,” said National Farmers’ Union president Minette Batters.

However, there has been a cautious welcome in NI to the suggestion that devolved regions could be given some flexibility. “We need a mix of skilled and unskilled workers in the industry. Immigration policy must be flexible enough to reflect wages and conditions in NI,” said Conall Donnelly from the NI Meat Exporters’ Association. “Over the next year we still see room to push on this. The industry here wants a regional approach,” he added.

NFU critical of metaldehyde ban

Defra Secretary Michael Gove, has confirmed that he outdoor use of metaldehyde, used to control slugs in a range of crops, is to be introduced across Britain from Spring 2020.

The decision follows on from expert advice that metaldehyde poses an unacceptable risk to birds and mammals.

“The advice is clear that the risks to wildlife are simply too great – and we must all play our part in helping to protect the environment,” commented Michael Gove last week.

However, the decision has been criticised by the National Farmers’ Union (NFU) who said it would have a major detrimental impact on farmers and growers.

“These products have been re-authorised for use in 21 EU member states and this ban is another decision that will have an impact on food production in this country,” said NFU deputy president, Guy Smith.

He was also not impressed with the advice from Defra, that farmers should instead sow seed deeper, to prevent slugs from reaching them.

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