Greenhouse Gas emissions lower for Welsh red meat than rest of UK
A study has revealed that Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions from red meat enterprises are lower in Wales than the benchmark for similar farms across the UK.
Farming Connect who undertook the study revealed that the results show that beef enterprises GHG emissions were 17% lower than the benchmark for upland and 5.7% lower than the benchmark for lowland.
Sheep enterprises were also lower with upland and lowland sheep enterprises 9.3% and 2.9% lower than the benchmark respectively.
Germany look to increase eco-scheme payments
Since the start of the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) was introduced on 1st January this year the uptake by German farmers of the new eco-schemes, which are aimed at incentivising sustainable farming practices, has been far lower than expected.
Germany’s federal states have agreed in July on proposals to improve the catalogue of eco-schemes with increased premiums.
The proposals put forward by the federal states will now form the basis for talks with the European Commission on possible adjustments to the German CAP strategic plan.
Food and drink exports reach new high
The Welsh food and drink industry’s exports increased by £157 million between 2021 and 2022, representing a 24.5% rise.
This is a larger percentage increase than the UK as a whole, which grew by 21.6%.
Meat and meat products were the highest value category at £265 million, a 42% increase from 2021, followed by cereal and cereal preparations which rose 16% to £160 million.