Latest news with #MinetteBatters
Business News Wales
2 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Combinable Crops Review Targets Fairer Returns for Farmers
Combinable Crops Review Targets Fairer Returns for Farmers A new UK Government review aims to tackle unfair practices in the combinable crops supply chain. Combinable crops, such as cereals (like wheat and barley), oilseeds, and pulses, are harvested using a combine harvester. They provide essential ingredients for food, animal feed and fuel. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'British growers work incredibly hard to produce world-class food, and deserve fair, transparent contracts that reflect that. 'This review is a major step forward in giving arable farmers a stronger voice, better protection and fairer returns for the food they produce. 'We're proud of the vital work farmers undertake every day to feed our nation, which is why we're investing £5 billion – the largest ever budget for sustainable farming.' The UK Government has appointed former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters to lead reforms. It says that it will collaborate with devolved governments in a bid to develop a fairer, more transparent supply chain. A formal public consultation will be launched, giving farmers and other stakeholders the chance to share their experiences.
Press and Journal
03-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Andrew Connon: I've had a hectic first few months as president
It has been a fast moving 85 days since I was elected president of NFU Scotand (NFUS), with four trips to London already under my belt. These focused on inheritance tax (IHT), meetings with UK farming unions and intensive political engagement with MPs, UK Government ministers and senior officials at Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). There was a meeting at the US Embassy too I've highlighted our determination to secure a profitable industry and the need for long-term confidence.' Back in Scotland, I've also met Scottish Government ministers, including the cabinet secretary (for rural affairs) and leaders of the main opposition parties. With each of them, I've highlighted our determination to secure a profitable industry and the need for long-term confidence. Meanwhile, a trip to Brussels underlined, among other things, similar challenges being faced by farmers in the EU. One moment I won't forget was standing on top of a combine in Whitehall, with other farming union presidents, addressing several thousand farmers from all over the UK. Their thanks and encouragement, when stepping off the combine, reinforced to me that we must never give up on our fight for fairness as regards the injustices announced in the October 30 Budget. IHT commentary across the industry may have eased but NFUS has written twice to the chancellor in the past fortnight. This was firstly to highlight again the need for the UK Government to reconsider IHT, National Insurance, the carbon border adjustment mechanism – effectively a fertiliser tax – and capital allowances on essential double-cab pickups. In addition, the appointment of Minette Batters by Defra to lead a six-month review of farm profitability prompted us to write to the chancellor demanding a postponement of budget announcements, including IHT, until the findings are announced. Results of the NFUS ShelfWatch initiative were announced last week, covering eight retailers, 290 stores and more than 60,000 products across four phases. The findings were disappointing. On average, just 17% of products displayed were Scottish, while imported goods now account for 20% of shelf space – a 6% rise on last year. We have written to and will have meetings with the retailers, the first of which was with Aldi on Monday. Key asks include increased Scottish sourcing, greater promotion, fair pricing, stronger branding and an end to misleading 'fake farm' labels. We also want to see an end to seasonal deep discounting – 6p for a bag of carrots, for example, devalues the real value of food. These conversations also include discussions about the critical mass of our industry, climate change impacts, over-regulation of our producers and a need for increased support from government over stainless steel to add to the supply of Scottish produce. We're also pointing out the massive opportunity for our industry should we achieve a greater proportion of Scottish produce on the shelves. This spring has brought tremendous weather, allowing cultivation and field work to make early progress in ideal conditions. In some areas the crops are in need of moisture, but the establishment of spring and autumn crops has been good and offers promising potential, weather permitting. But cereal prices remain poor and the continued imports of wheat in particular, understandably, continue to aggravate our arable members. Dialogue continues with merchants, end users and the whisky sector around loyalty, provenance, farm assurance and the need to pay a premium price for a premium product. Imports, land use pressures and alternative cropping options are also being highlighted in conversations which will continue.# It has also been a grand spring for lambing and calving. Hopefully, positivity in these sectors will remain firm, held up by strong prices. However, as lambing got under way, my phone was busy with disturbing calls about predation. The devastation caused by ravens, sea eagles and badgers is spiralling and must be urgently addressed. Considerable efforts by NFUS have seen the delivery of enhanced mitigation funding for sea eagles. This has to be welcomed but it remains to be seen how effective it will be. Ravens are doing horrendous damage in some areas of Scotland. And badgers – Scotland's most common apex predator – are causing considerable damage, not only to friendly nature but by killing lambs, which is a growing problem. We have meetings with NatureScot in the next few weeks and these issues, as well as the need for appropriate action, will be firmly highlighted. The threat of animal disease to our industry is widely discussed and very real. Foot-and-mouth disease and African swine fever are in Europe, with Blue Tongue, Schmalllenberg and avian influenza already in the UK. These pose a huge concern. Vigilance by farmers and crofters is essential. We continue to lobby government on tighter border controls, while Blue Tongue vaccination and control measures are being widely discussed with industry stakeholders and government officials. A farm visit to the Coupar Angus area last week highlighted the enormous damage caused by beavers and the serious threat they pose to business viability. Separate meetings with NatureScot are already scheduled to address this issue. Meanwhile, the sight of yet more sediment-filled rivers underlines the ongoing lack of common sense and inaction from government on this matter. Common sense must return to rural policy and that is something I am determined to see delivered.
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Former head of National Farmers' Union to head review of farm profitability
Former National Farmers' Union president Baroness Minette Batters is to head up a review into farm profitability, the Government has announced. Baroness Batters, who was elected the first female president of the NFU in 2018 and headed the organisation for six years, will make recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems in agriculture and supporting farmers' long-term profits, ministers said. As the appointment was announced, Baroness Batters, who will be speaking to farmers and growers across all land areas and sectors, and working with government departments which have an impact on agriculture, said 'we should be under no illusions how difficult' it would be. Her appointment is an effort by the Government to back farming in the wake of deteriorating relations with the sector. Last autumn's Budget prompted angry protests over inheritance tax for wealthier farms and a faster-than-expected end of EU-era subsidies. Farmers have also reacted angrily to the abrupt closure of the flagship sustainable farming incentive last month, as all the money had been allocated, while the sector has faced difficult weather conditions, and now the potential impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs on the UK. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'Backing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural economic growth and boost Britain's food security. 'We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the new deal for farmers.' Measures include fair competition in supply chains and planning reforms and quicker grid connections to allow farmers to diversify income streams. But he said the Government had to go further and faster 'to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth'. 'That is why I am delighted to appoint Baroness Batters, and her years of experience as a leader during a time of great change in British agriculture make her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers' long-term profits.' Baroness Batters said: 'I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. 'But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be. 'There will not be one 'silver bullet' to fire but I'm hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation's food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment. 'I'm pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommendations to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.' Baroness Batters runs a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire, with cattle, sheep and arable land, and was appointed a member of the House of Lords in 2024.
Yahoo
07-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Former head of National Farmers' Union to head review of farm profitability
Former National Farmers' Union president Baroness Minette Batters is to head up a review into farm profitability, the Government has announced. Baroness Batters, who was elected the first female president of the NFU in 2018 and headed the organisation for six years, will make recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems in agriculture and supporting farmers' long-term profits, ministers said. As the appointment was announced, Baroness Batters, who will be speaking to farmers and growers across all land areas and sectors, and working with government departments which have an impact on agriculture, said 'we should be under no illusions how difficult' it would be. Her appointment is an effort by the Government to back farming in the wake of deteriorating relations with the sector. Last autumn's Budget prompted angry protests over inheritance tax for wealthier farms and a faster-than-expected end of EU-era subsidies. Farmers have also reacted angrily to the abrupt closure of the flagship sustainable farming incentive last month, as all the money had been allocated, while the sector has faced difficult weather conditions, and now the potential impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs on the UK. Environment Secretary Steve Reed said: 'Backing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural economic growth and boost Britain's food security. 'We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the new deal for farmers.' Measures include fair competition in supply chains and planning reforms and quicker grid connections to allow farmers to diversify income streams. But he said the Government had to go further and faster 'to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth'. 'That is why I am delighted to appoint Baroness Batters, and her years of experience as a leader during a time of great change in British agriculture make her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers' long-term profits.' Baroness Batters said: 'I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. 'But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be. 'There will not be one 'silver bullet' to fire but I'm hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation's food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment. 'I'm pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommendations to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.' Baroness Batters runs a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire, with cattle, sheep and arable land, and was appointed a member of the House of Lords in 2024.
