In an attempt to encourage longer term agreements and increased productivity, the Republic of Ireland has adopted an approach which increases income tax reliefs for farmland lettings of more than 5 years.

As a result, farmland area let in the Republic of Ireland increased from 2% in 2011 to 7% in 2017.  Following the scheme, approximately 450,000 acres were let under new agreements between 2015 and 2017, and Ireland now has more letting agreements than Great Britain which are longer than 5 years duration.

Farm Business Tenancy agreements significantly contribute to Wales’ agricultural sector - Welsh Government figures show that 9% of holdings that applied for BPS in 2018 were wholly tenanted whilst 39% were mixed ownership.  However, the Farm Business Survey (FBS) estimates that 35% of rental agreements in 2017-18 were for less than 12 months and the FUW believes that the positive impact of tax relief in Ireland could be seen as a lesson for the UK.

The FUW continues to lobby for greater support for tenant farmers.  The Sustainable Farming and our Land consultation considers the importance of ensuring that tenants can access the new ‘public goods’ derived scheme, but there remains uncertainty as to how those with shorter tenancy agreements could receive payments for implementing long-term actions.  The FUW will be responding to this consultation in due course and will ensure that, amongst the number of issues facing the sector, the particular issues facing tenant farmers are fully recognised. 
 

i) Cross Border Trading In Ireland At Risk

Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has expressed major concerns over the potential demand for Export Health Certificates (EHCs) post Brexit.  Any business that exports live animals or animal products, including any products that contain animal derived ingredients, from the UK into the EU will require an EHC signed by a certified Vet.

FUW agree that the potential spike in demand for EHCs across the UK could place significant pressure on governing bodies and those certified Vets who must sign each and every certificate.  This new requirement alone could delay exporting products to the EU and particularly cross-border in Ireland.

ii) MEPs Accept New EU Farm Commissioner

Members of the European Parliament’s agriculture committee have accepted Poland’s Janusz Wojciechowski as the next EU Farm Chief.  The committee Chairman Norbert Lins states that the committee is ready to push for actions towards a successful Common Agricultural Policy.

iii) German Farmers Protest Against ‘Excessive Regulation’
Farmers in Germany have caused significant disruption to traffic by staging a nationwide protest against new agri-environmental regulations. 

Thousands of producers attended the protests across Germany opposing what is considered to be excessive regulation in the fields of environmental and animal protection. 

The Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I) is now offering emergency payments to those farmers that have been affected by the administration of Tomlinson's Dairies.
Grants of up to £3,000 are available to affected producers from the emergency fund, but applicants MUST call the R.A.B.I helpline - 0808 281 9490 to request an application form.  The application form has been simplified due to the urgency of payments.  Please contact your local FUW office if you require help or information.