Latest news with #DanielZeichner
Agriland
12-06-2025
- Health
- Agriland
Defra: Badger TB vaccinations up 24% across England in 2024
In a significant drive to end the UK badger cull, tuberculosis (TB) vaccinations administered to badgers in England increased by almost a quarter to reach a record high in 2024, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). Defra said that 4,110 badgers were given the TB vaccine in England last year, an increase of 1,000 vaccinations in comparison to 2023. That is up 24% on vaccinations in 2023. The department added that a new Badger Vaccination Field Force is set to come into force next year in attempts to increase badger vaccination and drive down TB rates. The latest figures published by the department suggest there was a significant reduction in the culling of badgers in 2024 (down 12% compared to 2023), That brings the numbers down to half the amount culled during the peak of the policy. However, the department added that bovine TB (bTB) remains of the most challenging and costly animal diseases across the UK. According to Defra, bTB has led to the compulsory slaughtering of over 278,000 cattle and the culling of 230,000 badgers since 2013, costing taxpayers £100 million yearly. Positive outlook Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) Daniel Zeichner said; ''Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long. 'It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations. 'We promised a comprehensive TB eradication package, which will allow us to end the badger cull by the end of this parliament, and that this what we are delivering – with today's figures showing the clear progress we are making.' UK chief veterinary officer (CVO), Dr. Christine Middlemiss said; 'Bovine tuberculosis is one of the most difficult and prolonged animal disease challenges we face, causing devastation for farming communities. 'The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work.' On going herd breakdown across the UK. Source ibTB The government announced their plans for this TB eradication programme last August in an attempt to end the badger cull across England and Wales. Since then, a substantial badger population survey took place in February, the first in over a decade. More surveying is scheduled later this year. As well as this, the government is field-trialling cattle vaccination against TB in areas of England and Wales where there is a low incidence of bTB, with the next phase set to take place this summer
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Cornwall farmers to get support vaccinating badgers in new scheme
Farmers in Cornwall will soon be able to administer badger vaccinations themselves to stop the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB). The UK's National Farmers Union (NFU) and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) will work with farmers across the region as part of government plans to end badger programme will launch later this year and comes as new figures show the number of badgers culled in England in 2024 fell by 12% compared to 2023.A total of 4,110 badgers were also vaccinated against the disease in England last year, an increase of more than 1,000 from 2023. 'Hardship and stress' Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said the figures show "the clear progress we are making" to deliver a bTB eradication package "to end badger culling by the end of this parliament"."Bovine tuberculosis has devastated British farmers and wildlife for far too long," he added."It has placed dreadful hardship and stress on farmers who continue to suffer the loss of valued herds and has taken a terrible toll on our badger populations." Dr Christine Middlemiss, chief veterinary officer, said: "The disease is on a very positive downward trajectory following years of hard work, as vaccinations continues to increase and we remain committed to take a data-led and scientific approach as we transition to fully adopting non-lethal control methods for managing this insidious disease."Last August, a four-year pilot vaccination programme showed the percentage of badgers testing positive for bTB in Cornwall in the study area dropped from 16% to 0%.
Agriland
11-06-2025
- Business
- Agriland
Farm groups voice concerns over UK agriculture budget
The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and several high-profile nature groups have joined forces to warn that cutting the agriculture budget will have 'grave consequences for the environment'. The call comes ahead of UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves' statement at lunchtime today (Wednesday, June 11), which will outline all departmental finances from 2027-2030, including the agriculture budget. On the eve of the spending review, a CLA poll of nearly 500 farmers found that the majority would abandon nature-friendly practices and revert to intensive methods if government funding is cut. The main findings of the poll of 460 members included: 88% say they will have to revert to intensive farming if funding is pulled for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes; 95% say they will reduce the amount of land managed for the environment; 98% say that Labour does not understand or respect rural communities; 99% don't trust Labour to make decisions that benefit their business; 76% say they are not in a position to fully fund the land management actions in their SFI/CS agreements by themselves. The CLA and groups including the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), National Trust, Soil Association, and the Nature Friendly Farming Network have also sent a joint letter to farming minister Daniel Zeichner outlining the impact a reduced budget will have on nature. The letter outlines how the organisations are 'deeply concerned about the rumoured cuts to the agricultural budget in the upcoming spending review'. It warns that any reduction in the budget will be 'catastrophic' to the government's aims. 'Many of the environmental features present in the countryside and enjoyed by the public will be under threat and will disappear. This would be a poor legacy for this government,' the letter states. Agriculture budget CLA president Victoria Vyvyan said that 'if funding for sustainable farming schemes is cut, government won't just abandon nature – it will abandon its word'. 'The Sustainable Farming Incentive is working – for farmers, for nature, for the public, and for the Treasury. 'It's bringing back wildlife, cleaning up rivers, and restoring the health of our soil. 'Take that funding away, and farmers will be pushed back to intensive methods – forced to undo years of progress. Nature will suffer as well as farmers, and on the environment, it will go against everything government claims to agree with,' she added. James Cameron, a farmer based in East Kennett, Wiltshire, explained that since entering these schemes, his farm has become 'a haven for nature'. 'What was once arable land, is now species-rich grassland. Red-listed birds, butterflies and bees have all returned in full force. What we've been able to build is magical. 'But now, all of that could vanish. Our entire financial model depends on this scheme. If funding is cut, it will be disastrous. 'We can't afford to fund all this work ourselves, and the private sector simply isn't there yet. We may have no choice but to re-adopt intensive farming practices just to stay afloat. 'Farming is already an uncertain enough business. We need a government that brings stability, not one that plays policy roulette and makes it impossible to operate at every turn,' he said.
Epoch Times
04-06-2025
- Business
- Epoch Times
MPs Call for Delay to Inheritance Tax Change to Protect ‘Vulnerable Farmers'
A cross-party committee of MPs has called on the government to delay changes to inheritance tax for farms until 2027. In its Efra said the delays would also allow 'vulnerable farmers' more time to seek professional advice. From April 2026, agricultural assets worth over £1 million will be subject to a 20 percent inheritance tax rate. This is half the usual 40 percent rate, but farms were previously exempt from inheritance tax. In its report, Efra raised concerns that the plans laid out in last year's Autumn Budget were made without a consultation, impact assessment, or affordability assessment. 'The lack of proper evaluation of the impact of these changes means that the scale and nature of its impact on family farms, land values, tenant farmers, food security and farmers in the devolved administrations is disputed and unclear. This comes with a considerable risk of negative unintended consequences,' the group of MPs said. Related Stories 3/26/2025 10/31/2024 As such, the reforms 'threaten to affect the most vulnerable,' including those who are older and whose farming is less profitable. The committee recommended postponing the announcement of final reforms to agricultural property relief (APR) and business property relief (BPR) until October 2026, to come into effect in April 2027. Alternatives The Labour government had said it brought in the change to stop wealthy investors attempting to avoid paying inheritance tax by buying farmland, which also impacts the price and availability of land for new entrants into farming. The committee said that while it agrees in principle with reforming APR and BPR to 'close the loophole,' experts had proposed other methods to reform taxes which the government should consider. These include increasing the tax-free APR/BPR combined cap to £20 million, but introducing a predetermined 'clawback period,' during which time if any land is sold after being passed on, charges will be applied. This is similar to a proposal put forward in February by the National Farmers' Union. The union Closure of SFI 'Affected Trust' Efra also criticised the sudden closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentives (SFI) programme, which it said 'affected trust in the Government and has left many farmers without the funding they expected and at risk of becoming unviable in the period before the next scheme is introduced.' The SFI offered financial incentives to farmers to adopt environmentally-friendly land management practices aimed at improving soil health and water quality and supported actions that promote biodiversity, such as encouraging bees and other pollinators. There are currently around 37,000 SFI agreements in place. However, the scheme was Tractors are parked on Whitehall in Westminster in protest by farmers over the changes to inheritance tax rules in London, on Dec. 11, 2024. Yui Mok/PA Wire But earlier this week, the government made a Addressing MPs on Monday, minister for food security and rural affairs Daniel Zeichner blamed a message in the application system 'shown in error,' which promised that Defra would give farmers six weeks' notice if the department needed to close applications. The government has said it is planning to reform the SFI scheme. Rebuild Trust Efra committee Chairman Alistair Carmichael called on the government to 'take our recommendations seriously' in a bid to rebuild trust and confidence in the farming sector. The Liberal Democrat MP 'The Government, however, seems to be dismissing farmers' concerns and ignoring the strength of feeling evidenced in the months of protests that saw tractors Children ride toy tractors in Parliament Square as demonstrators attend a farmers rally in London, on Nov. 19, Epoch Times contacted the Treasury for comment, but the department did not respond. The government has A spokesperson had said: 'With 40 percent of agricultural property relief going to the 7 percent of wealthiest claimants, we made the decision to ensure the relief is fiscally sustainable. 'Around 500 claims each year will be impacted and farm-owning couples can pass on up to £3 million without paying any inheritance tax—this is a fair and balanced approach.'
Wales Online
03-06-2025
- Wales Online
People taking snacks onto aircraft in hand luggage 'could face £5,000 fines' over EU travel rule
People taking snacks onto aircraft in hand luggage 'could face £5,000 fines' over EU travel rule Even food bought at the airport will fall foul of the rules from destinations such as Spain, Greece, Turkey and France. Anyone entering the UK is banned from taking foods from the EU into the country - with possible fines (Image: Getty Images ) Travellers have been warned that taking snacks through customs - even bought at the airport - could see them confiscated and fines imposed. A ban is currently in place for anyone coming back to the UK from Europe - including hotspot countries like Spain, Greece, Turkey and France. It's unlawful for travellers entering Great Britain from any EU country to carry the likes of sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk. So picking up a sarnie at the airport in Spain and trying to take it back to the UK could get you in trouble, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has said. The new laws which were introduced this year are still in place, officials have confirmed, as the holiday season really starts to get underway as June arrives. Current rules enforce that anyone caught importing items such as sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats, or milk into Great Britain will face enforcement actions at customs. Border officials will be on the lookout for contraband food items, with those caught having to either give them up or watch as they're confiscated and disposed of. Officials warn, 'In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to £5,000 in England.' With foot and mouth disease (FMD) case numbers on the rise across Europe, the UK Government has introduced bans to curb the spread. The prohibition, aimed to protect domestic animal health, farmer livelihoods and UK food security, applies to importing meat and dairy products from cows, sheep, goats, and pigs from the EU for personal use. Officials have confirmed that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) poses no risk to humans, and there are currently no cases in the UK. However, it is a highly infectious viral disease affecting cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals such as wild boar, deer, llamas and alpacas. Article continues below The outbreak on the continent presents a significant risk to farm businesses and livestock. FMD can cause substantial economic losses due to production shortfalls in the affected animals, as well as loss of access to foreign markets for animals, meat and dairy. In response to confirmed outbreaks of FMD in Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria earlier this year, the Government has already prohibited personal imports of cattle, sheep and other ruminants and pig meat as well as dairy products from these countries. The new restrictions apply solely to travellers arriving in Great Britain, and will not be imposed on personal imports arriving from Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner stated at the launch: 'This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot and mouth. That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevent the spread of the disease and protect Britain's food Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said: '. Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro, UK Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for international and trade affairs, has issued a warning: 'Following the detection of foot and mouth disease in EU countries resulting in a rising risk of introduction into Great Britain, we have extended restrictions on the personal imports of food products that pose a risk in FMD transmission.' He further emphasised the Government's readiness by stating: 'Robust contingency plans are already in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain's food security. This biosecurity measure combined with all others we have implemented are critical to limit the risk of FMD incursion. I would urge livestock keepers to continue exercising the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.' The restrictions have exceptions, however, as Dr Martin-Almagro explains: 'A limited set of exemptions from these rules in place. For example, a limited amount of infant milk, medical foods and certain composite products like chocolate, confectionery, bread, cakes, biscuits and pasta continue to be allowed.' Article continues below For more information click here..
