UK
New technical manager for BASIS
BASIS has engaged Greg Hopkinson as its new technical manager. He will act as the technical interface across the organisation, from CPD training to new course development. Mr Hopkinson has spent the last five years as a Hutchinsons’ agronomist, so brings a wealth of...
Industry calls for clearer post-EU trade policy detail
This week has seen UK trade policy post EU withdrawal move forward, with the second reading of the government’s Trade Bill and a new import tariff schedule. Industry representatives are concerned at the lack of detail with the EU transition set to end in seven months....
Remote auditing in place for AIC schemes
The AIC reports continued progress with remote auditing for its AIC Services suite of agri-supply assurance schemes in response to the Covid-19 restrictions and anticipates that the facility will be available permanently. Remote auditing of compliance has now been in...
Agriculture Bill amendments to protect UK standards fail
The Agriculture Bill has passed its final House of Commons reading unamended, despite a cross industry lobby‘s attempt to enshrine support for imported food products to meet UK standards in the new law. The Bill passed its third reading (report stage) unamended on...
Defra’s £10k for Covid-19 dairy herd losses
Following industry lobbying over the dairy market disruption due to Covid-19 restrictions, particularly the loss of food service and catering outlets, Defra minister George Eustice has announced support of up to £10,000 per dairy farming business in England. “With...
NFU calls for government to underwrite future OSR crops
The NFU is seeking urgent discussions with Defra about the future of oilseed rape (OSR) in Britain. It says the ban on neonicotinoids has meant growers can no longer control cabbage stem flea beetle populations, which are devastating the OSR crop across the country....