It is not hard to find conflicting advice as demonstrated by the debate surrounding the EAT-Lancet Commission’s recently published report relating to a low meat diet. There have also been some developments in relation to let homes, the Tenants Fees Bill has been agreed by both Houses of Parliament. Once it becomes law, it will cap most security deposits at five weeks rent and prevent landlords or agents charging application or inventory fees from 1 June 2019.

FOOD & Farming

EAT-Lancet diet causes controversy
A report released by the EAT-Lancet Commission has outlined a diet that it claims can save lives, save the planet and feed 10 billion people, but would require a monumental shift in diets across the world. The planetary health diet promotes more plant-based foods and less animal protein. Around 60% of the daily protein allowance would come from legumes and nuts, and the remainder from animal sources. Red meat consumption would average 14g a day, which is about 5kg a year; at present UK consumption averages 49kg. The report goes on to recommend setting boundaries for resource use and biodiversity loss, which the global food production system should stay within in order to “decrease the risk of irreversible and potentially catastrophic shifts in the Earth system”.

Such radical suggestions have drawn some criticism, with Dr Zoe Harcombe, an obesity researcher, suggesting that the diet is deficient in a number of key nutrients. She said “the EAT diet provides just 5% of vitamin D recommended, 17% of vitamin A (retinol) and just 55% of the calcium recommendation… There are also likely to be deficiencies in intakes of Omega-3, and nutrients that are found abundantly in red meat”. The Chairman of Meat Promotion Wales echoed the statements, saying “Red meat is an excellent source of vital nutrients; we must have a balance and a common-sense approach”.

Unfair egg supply contracts 
Legal analysis commissioned by the British Free Range Egg Producers Association (BFREPA) has found contractual terms between farmers and packers are grossly imbalanced in favour of buyers. Inspection of contracts found pricing and payment terms vary widely, whilst in some cases termination terms are weighted entirely in favour of packers. BFREPA is discussing its findings with 41 packers and will then draw up model contracts to help its members secure fairer terms.

Grain trader purchased by US corporation
Global commodities and food ingredient trading corporation Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) is set to secure outright ownership of independent grain trader Gleadell Agriculture and its pulse and seed subsidiary Dunns. The agreement for the US-based company to purchase French agricultural co-operative Invivo’s 50% stake in Gleadell will be completed in 2019 subject to regulatory review. NFU combinable crops board chairman Tom Bradshaw expressed concern that the merger could “add extra financial pressure on arable businesses” and reduce competition in the market. Gleadell Agriculture is a major player in the UK market, currently purchasing around 2.5 million tonnes of combinable crops from UK farmers each year.

English farm finances
Defra analysis of farm finances shows the average level of debt increased by 13% during 2017/18 compared to 2016/17, continuing a long term upward trend. Average debt stood at £227,500 per farm for 2017/18 with dairy (£398,000) and general cropping (£386,800) showing the highest average liabilities while lowland grazing livestock farms had the lowest (£92,800). Net interest payments as a percentage of farm business income decreased slightly from 2016/17 to 9%, while a third of farms paid no interest or were net recipients. Average net worth per farm increased by 6% to £1,906,000, however net worth per hectare remained static at £12,800.

POLICY

Action against antimicrobial resistance continues
A 20 year vision for the UK’s battle against antimicrobial resistance has been published alongside an action plan for the next five years. Sales of antibiotics for use in food-producing animals have reduced by 40% since 2014. The industry is now working to achieve a further 25% cut between 2016 and 2020. This is being achieved through responsible and targeted use of antibiotics. To make more progress, prescribing practices are being investigated along with quicker and more reliable diagnostic tools. Without action, it is predicted antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million global fatalities a year by 2050, however the Government’s 20 year vision aims for “a world in which antimicrobial resistance is effectively contained, controlled and mitigated” by 2040.

Rural stakeholders speak out against no-deal
Rural stakeholders have renewed appeals for the Government to end Brexit uncertainty and take measures to avoid crashing out of Europe without a deal. Following the Prime Minister’s ‘meaningful vote’ defeat by a 230 vote margin - the largest defeat for a sitting government in history – the CLA called for “urgent clarity from the Prime Minister”. NFU President Minette Batters speaking on behalf of the UK Farming Roundtable said “a ‘no-deal Brexit’ would be disastrous, not only for our farmers but for the public too”. The National Sheep Association echoed the frustration of the industry by saying “it is unacceptable that businesses don’t have a clue about the framework they will be working within in some 80 days’ time”. Mrs May is now attempting to renegotiate aspects of the defeated deal, such as the ‘backstop’, while numerous other amendments have been put forwards by MPs to prevent a no-deal Brexit and extend Article 50 so that more time is available for negotiating and planning.

ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL CAPITAL

Consultation on water management
Defra is consulting on a range of regulatory proposals which affect water abstraction, drainage and flood risk management. The aim is to improve long-term planning, water services and the environment. It would like to create a charging methodology for Internal Drainage Boards that will also allow their expansion or the creation of new Boards. In relation to water abstraction licensing, the Government would like it to be more tightly linked to environmental objectives. This will involve clarifying the conditions under which the Environment Agency can amend licences to secure good ecological status for water bodies. Contributions to the consultation can be made until 12 March 2019.

‘Land sparing’ could revitalise bird populations
Farming a reduced area of land more intensively and returning ‘spared’ land to wildlife could significantly improve wild bird populations according to research. The concept has been opposed by some conservationists who argue that intensive farming is not sustainable, however Andrew Balmford, a professor of conservation science at the University of Cambridge, said “we are not arguing for business-as-usual industrial farming”. Upland farmers have also expressed concern describing the approach as “eco-colonialism” due to fears hillsides will be subject to rewilding while lowlands continue to be intensively farmed.

Reducing nitrate pollution
The Government is investigating how it can support new and innovative processing businesses to develop techniques which can transform animal wastes into fertiliser products which can be transported easily. It is also likely to adopt the proposed EU Fertilising Products Regulations within future UK fertiliser policy, which would see quality specifications and standards introduced for products made from organic nutrient sources; the aim being to formalise their composition and encourage their use as an alternative to artificial fertilisers.

Hare population threatened by virus
Two cases of rabbit haemorrhagic disease type two have been confirmed in hares in Dorset as well as one in Essex, presenting a major new threat to decreasing brown hare populations in the UK. Agriculture and its impact on habitats and food supply, has largely been blamed for the 80% fall in hare numbers over recent decades. However this latest disease which is believed to have jumped from rabbits, is of great concern for the country’s remaining 800,000 brown hares.

PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT

England: Landlords register and deposits capped
The Tenants Fees Bill has passed both Houses of Parliament and is now awaiting Royal Assent. It will ban charging additional fees to tenants such as application and inventory fees, from 1 June 2019. The Act will also cap security deposits at a maximum of five weeks’ rent for properties where the annual rent is under £50,000. Separately, Communities Secretary James Brokenshire has announced that landlords will be legally required to join a redress scheme, or face a £5,000 fine. The Government is creating the Housing Complaints Resolution Service which will be the single complaints service for all residents, including private tenants and homeowners.

Surprising slow spots for UK broadband
Parts of central London such as Westminster and the City of London have lower average broadband speeds than the Outer Hebrides. Whilst headline grabbing, the real story is that rural areas still have the slowest average connection speeds. Allerdale and the Orkney Islands are two of the worst affected rural districts with average speeds below 6Mbps. In these areas, those with a below average speed are likely to find it hard to use online banking and experience issues with streaming services.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Performance record for RPA
The Rural Payments Agency paid 93.4% of eligible Basic Payment Scheme claims during December, its best first month performance since the scheme began in 2015. The Agency says it is on track to complete payments well ahead of the June deadline. Any claimants who have not been paid by the end of March will receive a bridging payment worth 75% of the value of their claim.

OTHER RURAL NEWS

One tiny leaf for mankind
A cotton seed has germinated on board China’s Chang’e 4 lunar lander, following touchdown on the far side of the moon earlier this month. While plants have previously been grown on board the International Space Station, this marks the first instance of a seed sprouting on the moon and another step towards the possibility of growing food in space. The news was unfortunately a small step since the shoots all died soon afterwards as temperatures plummeted during the ‘lunar night’. Rapeseed and potato seeds also germinated in the canister, which contained soil, yeast and fruit fly eggs too. Some reports suggest the experiment was supposed to form a self-sustaining ecosystem and last three months.

And finally… ESports league for Farming Simulator
Giants Software, developers behind the Farming Simulator video game, has announced an official ESports league with a €250,000 prize pool. Ten teams of gamers will compete for the prize in a series of tournaments across Europe before the grand finale at FarmCon 2020; a convention dedicated to the game. Giants CEO Christian Ammann said “we believe we have found the right mix of real farming and fun to play game elements”, and he seems to be correct since one million copies of the latest release sold within the first 10 days.