Agricultural Policy News

Agricultural Policy

News in brief December 2022

Agricultural Policy

Disruption to UK meat exports to EU delayed for 12 months

New rules on exports to the EU that would have caused significant disruption to the UK meat industry have been delayed for 12 months following representations to the UK government by leading meat trade bodies.

The rules that were due to come into force on 13th December 2022 would have meant that under the EU requirement for farms of origin to have a regular veterinary visit, the new UK rules would have meant that farmers would no longer be able to self certify meaning that evidence such as membership of a recognised farm assurance scheme or a valid veterinary declaration would have been required despite farmer declarations being accepted by the EU.

Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 - Requirements from 1st January 2023

Agricultural Policy

Nutrient Management Planning

(Regs 6 & 7)

Farmers will be tasked with calculating the required amounts of nitrogen for each crop, including grassland. Using a workbook, a plan must be produced for spreading nitrogen fertiliser each year. This Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) must provide the following information:

£32 million committed to Woodland schemes

Agricultural Policy

The Welsh Government has announced that £32 million will be allocated to woodland schemes over the next 3 years.

The three schemes will be:-

Small Grants - Woodland Creation Scheme

Sheep Annual Inventory Form

Agricultural Policy

Sheep and goat keepers in Wales are being reminded to submit their annual inventory form by 1st February 2023 to avoid potential penalties.

Keepers are legally required to complete an Annual Inventory under the Sheep and Goats (Records, Identification and Movements) (Wales) Order 2015.

The number of sheep recorded should include breeding sheep, rams, ram lambs, store and finished lambs, cull ewes/rams and other sheep. Farmers must also record the number of sheep and goats on the holding on the designated date in the on-farm ‘Flock Record’.

Meat Promotion Wales' (HCC)- Little Book of Meat Facts

Agricultural Policy

Hybu Cig Cymru have published the latest edition of their ‘Little Book of Meat Facts’ for 2022.

The publication is a compendium of Welsh red meat and livestock industry statistics for 2021.

In this booklet, there is general information such as the most common farm types in Wales and the size of agricultural holdings, data and market trends for cattle, sheep and pigs in Wales and the UK, and trade data including the volume and value of imports and exports.