Irish Young Farmers to get Increased Support from 2023
The Irish Minister for Agriculture has told young farmers in Ireland that they will be supported over the next 5 years through the next Common Agricultural Policy strategic plan and also by National Funding.
3% of direct payments in Ireland will be used to support young farmers. This could see the rates being paid to young farmers increasing from €68/ha to €170/ha for the first 50 hectares and would not be linked to entitlements. Capital investment would also be supported at a higher rate for young farmers of 60%.
New Zealand farmland sales for afforestation a worry for farmers and rural communities
Beef and Lamb New Zealand continue to be concerned about the number and area of whole farm sales that are happening in the country to plant trees, many of which are going to overseas buyers. The result is increased land prices, reduced employment in rural areas and a reduction in New Zealand's export income.
Over the past four months in New Zealand nearly 12,000 hectares of sheep and beef farmland has been approved for sale to overseas investors to be planted in forestry, following on from total sales of over 50,000 hectares in 2021, and 35,000 and 37,000 hectares in 2020 and 2019 respectively for tree planting.
EU-Australia trade deal a worry for Welsh Lamb exports
An international trade policy expert warned delegates at the Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC) conference of the potential consequences for Welsh Lamb exports to the European Union if a trade deal is struck between Australia and the EU.
He warned that Australia only has limited access at present and should the deal include an increased quota it would inevitably displace UK lamb.