Defra have announced that The Fair Dealing Obligations (Milk) Regulations 2024 have been laid, with commencement of the regulations due on the 9th of July 2024 for any new milk purchasing contract. Concurrently a period of transition to compliance for existing contracts is to be completed by the 9th of July 2025.
Agricultural Policy
Concerns raised over the UK’s vet shortage
The UK Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee has written to the DEFRA secretary stating that the domestic vet shortage has worsened since the 11.5% shortage estimated in 2018.
Welsh Government has announced 2 new farm infrastructure grants worth £20 million. The two schemes to support farmers reach compliance with The Water Resources (Control of Agricultural Pollution) (Wales) Regulations 2021 are The Nutrient Management Investment Scheme and the Small Grants – Yard Coverings scheme.
Farming Connect has recently launched a new set of online modules based around practices that maintain the productivity and health of farmland and livestock in a sustainable way, to help Welsh farmers as they make the transition to the Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).
The accredited suite of seven modules will give farmers an overview of the future direction of agriculture in Wales
Ruminant Health & Welfare have provided the latest BTV update (20th May). They advise that farmers and the industry must remain Aware, apply Caution and use evidence-based Tactics to ACT and mitigate against the latest strain BTV-3.
A single bite from a single infected midge will reliably transmit BTV-3.