i) ECA says that some EU agricultural spending schemes exposed to fraud risks

A recent audit report published by the European Court of Auditors (ECA) says that some EU agricultural spending schemes are exposed to fraud risks due to incorrect interpretations of the rules.

The main risks identified are linked to illegal ‘land grabbing’ in countries with weak land registration schemes and unclear ownership. Fraudsters may also seek to acquire land for the sole purpose of receiving payments without performing any agricultural activities.

The Commission has accepted all of the ECA’s recommendations.

ii) Welsh food and drink exports reach record high in 2021

Welsh food and drink exports reached a record high of £641 million in 2021, rising by 16% year on year, the largest increase across the four UK nations.

The highest value category was meat and meat products at £187 million, with eight of the top ten destinations for all Welsh food and drink exports being within the EU.

iii) Laca warns of reductions of meat in school diets due to price increases

Laca, the UK’s school food caterers’ association with members which provide 80% of school meals in England and Wales, has said that fresh meat has been removed from a number of school menus due to rising prices.

The average school is now facing a 20% rise in food costs compared with figures from April 2022.

The Welsh Government has published its latest proposals for a Sustainable Farming Scheme in Wales from 2025 onwards.

The document - which can be viewed here - will form the basis for the next phase of co-design which opened for registration on 6th July 2022.

The FUW believes that the proposals are ‘on the right track’ but concerns still exist around some of the details. Nevertheless, the Welsh Government has moved on leaps and bounds and now has an overarching framework that is not dissimilar to what the Union has proposed.

An Emergency Authorisation (EA) has been issued to allow Asulox to be used for bracken control in Great Britain and Northern Ireland during the 2022 season from 1st July.

• To minimise interaction with breeding birds, where feasible, application should take place after 1st August, or as late in July as possible.
• To protect mammals, application is not allowed where the hazel dormouse is known to breed.
  Read more: Emergency Authorisation of Asulam for the 2022 season

Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has published the four new General Licences for the control of wild birds which came into force on 1st July 2022.

The full list of General Licences can be found here which includes: