Food and drink exports grow
Food and drinks exports have grown to their highest levels since 2019. Figures released by the Food and Drinks Federation for the first half of 2022 show that overall food and drinks exports rose 3.1% compared to 2019. Exports to the EU fell 5.1% while exports to non EU countries rose by 15.9%.
Lamb and mutton exports were up 29.6%, beef up by 19.1%, pork up by 13.1% and cheese up by 4.3%. The total value of exports during the first 6 months of 2022 totalled £11.4 billion. Total food and drinks imports also rose sharply during the period with a total of £18.2 billion, a 22.1% increase compared with 2019.
Agricultural Policy
British Wool is currently looking for nominations for County Representatives.
British Wool’s governance structure has nine UK regions with 81 farmer elected county representatives representing members within their respective county on the regional committee. All 81 county representatives are up for election and British Wool are inviting nominations from those interested in becoming a farmer representative within their county.
Full details of the County representative role can be found here.
Any farmer having difficulty meeting the requirements of their Glastir contract may request a derogation using their RPW Online account.
Examples of situations where a derogation request may be necessary include:
Two new cases of Avian Influenza have been confirmed in Wales on the 5th and 9th September. The case on the 5th September was confirmed at a premises near Arthog, Gwynedd and another at a premises near Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire on the 9th September.
A 3km Protection Zone and a 10km Surveillance Zone have been put in place around both premises.
These are the sixth and seventh cases of HPAI H5N1 confirmed in Wales since October last year. The new cases highlight that there is still a disease risk out there and the keepers of poultry and other captive birds are asked to implement and maintain high levels of biosecurity.
Waste exemptions are required for small scale waste management activities on farms including the burning of hedge cuttings, using rubble for farm tracks and using waste tyres on top of silage pits.
Waste Exemption registrations last for 3 years and can now be renewed up to a month before they expire. It’s free to register or renew all waste exemptions for your farm.
To check an existing registration visit the Natural Resources Wales website and a search can be carried out by inserting the farm name or the name of the exemption holder.