Agricultural Policy News

Agricultural Policy

Landowners and occupiers responsibilities for trees bordering the access network

Agricultural Policy

Under Section 154(1) of the Highways Act 1980, landowners and occupiers of land are required to cut back vegetation on trees, shrubs, or hedges that overhang the access network so that they do not endanger the passage of vehicles, pedestrians or horse riders. This applies to roads, footpaths but also to paths within areas to which the public has access to.

Similarly, under section (2) of the Highways Act 1980, a landowner or land manager may be served notice to remove any hedge, tree or shrub which is dead, diseased, damaged or insecurely rooted.

If the work to remove hedges,trees or shrubs is not carried out and it is likely to obstruct or cause danger by falling on users of the network,then local authorities may serve notice for the work to be completed within 14 days. Failure to comply with the notice within the 14 day period can lead to the local authority completing the work and seeking to recover reasonable costs from the land owner/manager.

DNA research project to aid investigations into livestock attacks

Agricultural Policy

North Wales Police and a forensic research team are collaborating to provide invaluable support to future livestock attack investigations.

Dog attacks on livestock were estimated to have cost British farmers £1.52 million last year, according to industry data. On average in North Wales there are around 120 dog attacks on livestock per year. Most of these are committed by dogs that have escaped from their homes and many of these incidents involve attacks on sheep.

With funding provided by DEFRA, North Wales officers have united with scientists at Liverpool John Moores University to implement a DNA-based investigation process to identify dogs suspected to have committed such attacks.

Free Mid & West Wales Farm Fire Safety visit

Agricultural Policy

Mid and West Wales Fire & Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) want to work with farming families to keep loved ones, homes, land and animals safe from fire.

MAWWFRS invites farmers to request a free Farm Fire Safety Visit to help prepare a plan to reduce the risk of a fire. They will assist in:

The truth about the rising cost of data breaches

Agricultural Policy

Whilst many farm businesses are increasingly vigilant in amending their work policies to mitigate the risk of cyber-attacks, many still don’t have adequate protective measures against cybercrime in place.

Despite the number of targeted attacks with a financial impact decreasing slightly over the last year, the overall costs to those who are affected have risen dramatically. Since 2017 when the average direct cost to businesses was £1,380, this figure has now grown to £3,150 in 2019. This amount doesn’t consider recovery costs and long-term costs which both add up to approximately £3,000 on average.

Although the number of large and medium businesses protecting their businesses with cyber insurance has risen in the past year, only 11% of all businesses and 6% of charities have specialised cover in place. What’s more, just over a third of businesses have a board member or trustee with specific responsibility for cybersecurity.

Free webinar on staying safe when working with trees

Agricultural Policy

The National Association of Agricultural Contractors are hosting a free webinar on staying safe when working with trees.

The free webinar is open to everyone working with trees.

This is a Farm Safety Partnership webinar.