With an increase in queries regarding sheep dip disposal permits for carrying out sheep dipping to control sheep scab, here is a summary of the relevant rules, best practice and processes that must be considered.

Sheep dip: groundwater protection code
The Code of Practice for sheep dip groundwater protection is available here.  By following the guidance, you are able to demonstrate that you have taken steps towards avoiding pollution and are complying with the legal requirements of the Environmental Permitting (England & Wales) Regulations 2016.  You must also follow applicable guidance and laws such as the Health and Safety regulations when it comes to the use and storage of sheep dip.

Read more...

As things stand, it is likely that the UK will leave the EU on 31 October 2019 with or without a deal.
 
To help businesses prepare for the possible implications of Brexit, the UK Government is hosting 30 Brexit Business Readiness Events across the UK from 16 September to 18 October.
 
Experts from departments such as HMRC and DEFRA will provide free interactive support and advice sessions to up to 100 businesses at each event with the aim of ensuring that as many businesses are preparing for Brexit as possible.

For more information regarding the events and to register, please follow click here.

Events have been confirmed in Cardiff (14th October), Wrexham (15th October) and Bristol (15th October) with many more confirmed across the UK and even more locations to be confirmed.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales has reiterated its opposition to the establishment of pan-Wales agricultural pollution regulations which, if implemented, will cause significant financial and administrative burdens for farmers across Wales; the overwhelming majority of whom are fully compliant with current regulations.  

In 2016, the Welsh Government published a consultation on the future of agricultural pollution regulations in Wales which proposed the option of discrete NVZ areas, or a whole-Wales approach.  At present, just over 2 percent of Wales is designated as an NVZ, and the FUW Farmers’ Union of Wales strongly opposed any additional regulation being implemented onto farms which remain compliant with current regulations and are not responsible for pollution incidents.

Following the consultation, the FUW worked with the Wales Land Management Forum (WLMF) to produce a report for the Minister outlining 45 recommendations based upon 5 themes to tackle agricultural pollution in Wales.  Despite these recommendations, in November 2018, the Welsh Government announced a proposal to implement a pan-Wales regulatory approach.

The FUW believes that a pan-Wales approach is unjustifiable given that just 1% of all Basic Payment Scheme claimants are involved in a pollution incident.  

The fact that such a draconian blanket approach is being planned goes against the Welsh Government's commitment in December 2017 to strike the ‘right balance of comprehensive regulatory measures, voluntary measures and investment’ and ‘...explore further options to provide land managers with flexibility, where these would achieve the same or better outcomes than a regulatory approach’.  Should the plans go ahead there would be an increase in the number of Welsh farm holdings subject to costly and restrictive legislation from an estimated 600 to more than 24,000.

The rules will have far-reaching repercussions for dairy farmers across Wales, but could also result in a fall in Welsh beef production due to increased costs and reductions in profitability.

The FUW has reiterated its call for the plans to be abandoned, and for a proportionate and targeted approach based on balanced evidence to be adopted. The Union recognises the serious need to tackle agricultural pollution but will continue to fight to ensure this is done in a way which is both proportionate and targeted, and reflects the local and national evidence base.  The FUW continues to work with the WLMF Group to put forward an alternative industry endorsed evidence-based approach before any regulations are finalised.

The Farmers’ Union of Wales are reiterating warnings of the disastrous consequences of a no-deal Brexit on the Welsh sheep sector which are being felt once again since the newly accounted Prime Minister’s promise of leaving the EU on 31st October.

According to the British Meat Processors Association (BMPA), EU retailers are refusing to sign long-term contracts for UK lamb exports due to the likelihood of them having to pay tariffs of 40-65% on lamb under a contract agreement after 31st October.  Instead, retailers are offering ‘spot prices’ for lamb for immediate delivery which would make UK produce uncompetitive once tariffs are introduced.  

The run-up to 31st March saw plans to either cull or offer compensation for unsaleable lambs, an approach that could be vital for securing our Welsh Lamb industry after 31st October.

The beef industry was faced with a similar situation in the run-up to 31st March in addition to the stockpiling of Irish beef imports which have since been flooding the market and reducing prices for UK producers.  It is imperative that the same doesn’t occur for our lamb industry which could see the abolishment of premium high-priced markets.

The BMPA highlights that the National Sheep Association and AHDB are forecasting a 25% drop in farmgate lamb prices when we leave the EU, and Hybu Cig Cymru suggests that 92.5% of our lamb export trade could disappear under a no-deal scenario.