Scottish farmers and those farming in tougher environments look set to gain the most. An overhaul of tariffs that would be implemented with a No Deal Brexit will not make any changes to agricultural tariffs, despite Defra pushing for more protection. Yet No Deal seemed less likely after comments from European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. He said he was ready to scrap the Irish backstop if Boris Johnson provided a viable alternative. If and when Brexit does go ahead, the UK and Australia will begin trade negotiations right away. International Trade Secretary Liz Trust said she expected negotiations to take months, not years.

FOOD & FARMING

Government response to Bew Review
The Government has responded to an independent review of intra-UK allocations of agricultural funding accepting  most of the recommendations made by the initial review undertaken by Lord Bew. Scotland is set to benefit significantly, receiving 63.7% of the convergence budget between 2020 and 2022 compared to the 16.3% it received between 2014 and 2020. This is based on the development of the Bew formula, which will provide additional funding for land with low per-hectare payment rates; predominantly upland areas found in Scotland. Farmers who farm tougher environments will also benefit from these reforms. 

Other agreed recommendations include taking the final year of EU funding as a baseline for the 2020-2022 period. It will see a total of almost €130 million allocated over two years according to the review’s recommendations. The Government also agreed with a recommendation to increase farm support payments by €66.54 million. Wider observations and suggestions included:

• Ministers engaging collectively with devolved administration counterparts

• Avoid giving farmers in any one part of the UK a competitive advantage through allocations

• A recognition of the social values of upland farming

• Ensuing funding for agricultural and rural areas is protected or even enhanced

The Government response to these final factors did not demonstrate explicit agreement or commitment.

Badger culls cause immense pain
Up to 9,000 badgers are likely to have suffered “immense pain” in culls to control Bovine TB according to Professor Ranald Munro, ex-Chair of an independent expert group appointed by the Government to assess the impact of badger culling pilots. The group found up to 23% of badgers took more than 5 minutes to die after being shot, leading them to conclude that the culls were inhumane. 

Analysis by former government scientist Dr Iain McGill also shows that the incidence rate of Bovine TB cases has increased from 12.7% of herds in 2013 to 13.2% last year. Gloucestershire and Somerset, two areas where the cull has been piloted, have both seen TB levels rise. The proportion of herds with Bovine TB increased from 6.9% to 9% and 6.1% to 6.7% respectively over the five year period.

Despite objections, Ministers have approved culling in a further 11 areas, giving a total of 43 areas in England. Up to 64,000 badgers are likely to be killed this autumn, up from 42,000 last year. Defra advice set a minimum total at 37,482. Approved areas now cover the majority of Wiltshire (90%), Devon (84%) and Cornwall (83%) but the cull has not been extended to Derbyshire, an edge area. Bill Harper, chair of the National Beef Association’s TB Committee, said that decision was taken “purely on political and not scientific grounds” as “nobody has ever got to this stage and been turned down”.

New code of practice for pigs
An amended draft of best practice for the welfare of pigs in England has been released by Defra. It recommends that keepers should draw up and implement a pig health and welfare plan in collaboration with their veterinary surgeon. It also says there should be veterinary involvement in routine measures to identify, manage and prevent tail biting. The British Veterinary Association and Pig Veterinary Society both welcomed the changes saying “we are delighted to see that a number of our recommendations have been considered and actioned”.

Wild wheat genetics offer hope
A 28 year study has shown that wild wheat has accumulated a number of beneficial mutations which could help the plants cope with climate change. The study followed 10 populations of wild emmer wheat in Israel between 1980 and 2008. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show that while some individual specimens did not survive, others were able to adapt and cope with a warmer world. Since the study began, temperatures have increased by an average of 2 degrees Celsius. Lead author Yong-Bi Fu said “over 28 years and 28 generations, you can see the wild relative of the plant accumulate more genetic mutations” and that “most of the population is still adaptable”.

Urban farms in retail stores
Marks and Spencer will plant urban farms in its retail stores in partnership with Infarm, a Berlin-based company. Infarm creates vertical farming pods that uses cloud-based software to control conditions remotely and monitor growth. The company has already partnered with Amazon Fresh, Intermarche and Migros. The partnership was launched alongside the re-opening of M&S’s Clapham Junction store which will grow three types of basil, as well as mountain coriander, mint, and parsley. Customers will not harvest the crop themselves but they will be assured of the crop’s provenance. Infarm farmers will visit the store twice a week to harvest the crop while the company is constructing distribution centres in London that will provide seedlings for the stores.

POLICY

Prorogued Parliament and the Agricultural Bill
The Supreme Court decision that the prorogation of Parliament was unlawful means that existing bills making their way through the Commons and Lords have not been lost, including the Agriculture Bill. Predicting whether the UK will now leave the EU on 31 October is more difficult than ever. The Agriculture Bill of course sets out the ability for Government to make payments to farmers, and is such only relevant if the Common Agricultural Policy no longer applies. If we do leave, a key issue is whether the Bill will be passed in time to replace the CAP; Defra’s Permanent Secretary Tamara Finkelstein previously said that to deliver the replacement to the CAP on time meant that the Agriculture Bill needs to have been passed by early 2020. The Environment Bill was also discussed, with Defra Secretary of State Theresa Villiers saying that they were hoping to publish a revised version soon. The delay and continued uncertainty presents yet more unwelcome challenges to UK farmers looking to navigate the years ahead. 

General licences public survey
A public survey has been announced by Defra as part of the review around general licences and the management of wild birds in the UK. A series of stakeholder workshops are planned to run alongside the survey. The consultation will remain open until 5th December and is inviting the opinions of all stakeholders.

The Government has also responded to Wild Justice’s legal challenge to releasing gamebirds on protected sites. As a result of the legal challenge, the practice will be reviewed to see if the effectiveness of legislation can be improved. Defra accepted that the release of non-native gamebirds, specifically the Common Pheasant and Red-legged Partridge, requires appropriate assessment within the meaning of the Habitats Directive. It did not accept that current laws do not provide appropriate assessment. The review will not affect this year’s pheasant and partridge shooting season beginning on 1st October.

Solving the backstop problem
European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker has said he is ready to scrap the Irish backstop if Boris Johnson provides a viable alternative. He said he was open to the idea of an all-Ireland standards zone which Mr Johnson had previously suggested. Under this system, Northern Ireland would continue to follow EU regulations and products coming from elsewhere in the UK would be subject to new checks at Northern Ireland ports. It marks a significant softening of the European stance from only a month ago when Mr Juncker said “we are not prepared to hold new negotiations”. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said “we would need a single Irish economic zone” and emphasised that it must cover all aspects of the economy and not just agriculture and food. The backstop has been a key obstacle to obtaining a deal for the UK’s exit from the EU. With Mr Juncker’s comments, the pound surged to its best rate in months.

The Government has recently updated its guidance on preparing your business for a no-deal Brexit. Businesses which need to take direct action are typically those which employ overseas labour or import/export goods to/from the EU. The guidance covers:

• Imports and exports

• Employees and seasonal workers

• Food and drink labelling including organic produce

• Marketing standards

ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL CAPITAL

Most popular insecticide affects birds
A study has shown sparrows lose their appetites and take flight later after exposure to imidacloprid, a neonicotinoid insecticide. Scientists say the birds become intoxicated, lose energy and take several days to recover from exposure before continuing their migratory journeys. 30 white crowned sparrows were caught flying north after wintering in the United States. They were chosen as they are common and display behaviours typical of other migratory songbirds in North America. 

The researchers divided the captured birds into three groups: one was fed a high dosage of imidacloprid, another a low dosage, and another was kept as a control group. All doses were non-lethal and equivalent to amounts that could conceivably be consumed in the wild. Both high and low dose birds saw a loss of body fat, something likened to the appetite supressing effect of insecticides. The insecticide could also have contributed to reduced nutrient adsorption. Researchers did note that capture may have exacerbated the neonicotinoid’s effects. 

Economic prize from global transition
A new report has outlined 10 critical transitions to transform food and land use in order to address climate change, diversity, health and food security. Those transitions are divided across four categories:

• Nutritious food

• Nature-based solutions

• Wider choice and supply

• Opportunity for all

While between $300 and $350 billion will be required globally to drive the transition by 2030, the report says a $5.7 trillion ‘economic prize’ could be derived in the same time period as well as $4.5 trillion in business opportunities. The Food and Land Use Coalition say this could be worth $10.5 trillion to the global economy by 2050.

In the UK, conservationists have warned that £3 billion a year will be needed to aid wildlife recovery alone. They say targeted support is needed to protect soils, cut emissions and produce food. The RSPB, National Trust and Wildlife Trusts say funding must be guaranteed from at least 10 years after the CAP is replaced. Patrick Begg, director at the National Trust, said “if the Government wants farmers to get on board with restoring nature it must provide the certainty and security of long-term funding”.

Landmark biodiversity review
Sir David Attenborough will be the ambassador for a landmark review to support biodiversity and the economy. The independent global review will be led by Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, Professor Emeritus of Economics at the University of Cambridge. The review will look at the global economic benefits of biodiversity as well as the costs and risks of biodiversity loss. It will go on to recommend actions that can deliver both biodiversity and economic benefits. Experts and businesses are being urged to contribute evidence to help balance these two priorities.

National parks must do more
National parks and AONB have not done enough to protect nature according to an independent review commissioned by former environmental secretary Michael Gove. The review says that “without structural reform and greater shared ambition and status, our national landscapes will always struggle to do more than make an incremental difference”. As well as stopping declines in nature, the review says the areas must do more to welcome working class and minority ethnic visitors. As part of that vision, the review believes every schoolchild should be given the chance to visit the parks and spend a “night under the stars”. Some of the other proposals include:

• A National Landscapes Housing Association to build affordable homes

• A central place for national landscapes in Environmental Land Management Schemes

• A National Landscapes Service to encourage greater collaboration between the 44 areas

• A ranger service in all national landscapes.

PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT

Crackdown on illegal building
Councils across the country will receive a share of nearly £2 million to tackle illegal development. The funding is part of a wider drive to protect the Green Belt for future generations. 37 councils will be receiving a total of up to £50,000 each to help with the crackdown. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will also be cooperating with the Royal Town Planning Institute to overhaul the national enforcement handbook. The handbook will outline best practice on preventing and shutting down illegal building work. 

Smart meter rollout pushed back
The Government has pushed back the deadline for its smart meter rollout to 2024. The four year delay was announced after the original deadline of 2020 was deemed an unrealistic prospect. It now wants 14 million meters installed by the end of next year and the bulk of the work then completing by 2024. Customers are not obliged to have a smart meter fitted but energy firms must have offered them to all UK households. Gas and electricity firms must collectively seek to install the meters in 85% of customers’ homes by the end of the new deadline. It means costs have risen by a further £2 billion to £13 billion.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

No Deal tariff plan overhaul
Ministers will overhaul the planned tariff schedule that would come into effect in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Despite Defra pushing for greater protection for farmers, few changes look to be made to agriculture, with other government departments feeling adequate measures are already in place. The largest change will be a big decrease in proposed duties on heavy goods vehicles. Tariffs will also be increased on bioethanol after the domestic industry warned low tariffs could threaten its future.

UK and Australia commit to trade agreement
The UK and Australia have agreed to begin trade negotiations as soon as the UK leaves the EU. The two nations have more than £45 billion invested in each other’s economies and a trading relationship is worth £16.6 billion. The UK is one of Australia’s largest trading partners and around 15,000 UK businesses export their goods to Australia. International Trade Secretary Liz Truss says the UK Government will seek free movement between the two nations. She also said it would take months, not years, to secure the trade deal. 

OTHER RURAL NEWS

Grocery ‘Happy Hour’
With crowds of shoppers congregating around the coloured labels on discounted food, you might be forgiven for thinking that a grocery ‘happy hour’ was already a thing in the UK. But it’s not and instead it is Finland which is pioneering the idea. S-market stores cut the costs of food already reduced by 30% to 60% off at exactly 9pm, just hours from their midnight expiration date. The initiative is part of a two year campaign to reduce food waste which contributes to a third of all food produced being lost. The initiative has been rolled out across all 900 of the chain’s stores.

And finally…

Nature is a funny thing
Finalists for the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards have been unveiled. Entries include laid-back chimps, frightened fish, hiding bears, screaming otters and friendly insects. Winners will be announced on the 13th November with the public getting the chance to vote for the People’s Choice Award before then. While being a lighter-hearted look at nature, the competition also hopes to promote “conservation through competition”.