The Rural Bulletin: 24 August 2017
A summary of the latest news and issues affecting rural landowners and businesses brought to you by Knight Frank.
2 minutes to read
More mapping confusion expected at RPA
The Rural Payments Agency is updating its digital maps to ensure all the data is less than three years old – potentially resulting in payment penalties being applied to 2017 Basic Payment claims. Over the next 10 weeks it will review maps to reflect new aerial photography, Ordnance Survey map changes and any information submitted from farm inspections or by a farmer. However, as the refreshed maps will be used to verify 2017 claims it’s likely that farmers will see over- or under-payments where field sizes have changed since they submitted their applications. It could also cause complications for anyone submitting a mid-tier Countryside Stewardship application this autumn.
Knight Frank's Specialist Mapping Team can help with any RPA mapping queries you might have.
Food sector at risk from labour shortage
Food and drink trade bodies have called on the Government to secure access to migrant labour post-Brexit, following a survey of businesses throughout the supply chain. The survey, co-ordinated by the Food and Drink Federation, revealed that 47% of businesses said EU nationals were considering leaving the UK due to uncertainty over their future, with 36% saying their business would become unviable if they lost access to EU workers.
The survey follows record growth in UK food and drink exports in the first half of 2016, to £10.2bn – an 8.5% increase on H1 2016. Exports to the EU27 grew at a faster rate than to non-EU markets, increasing the share of EU sales to 61.2%
More open access in Wales raises concerns
Farming unions have expressed alarm at plans to allow organised games, wild camping, hang gliding and paragliding on 460,000ha of Countryside Rights of Way (CRoW) land in Wales. The Welsh Government is also considering extending CRoW access to inland waters and coastal areas, as well as allowing cycling and horse riding on footpaths. NFU Cymru claims the proposals could damage wildlife, curtail diversified farm incomes, and increase public liability implications for landowners. The deadline for responses to the consultation is 13 September.
Pay attention to child safety
A farming company in Scotland has been fined £10,000 after a quad bike accident left the owner’s eight-year-old child having to have his leg amputated. It is illegal for children under 13 to ride on an ATV.