SINGLE PAYMENT ENTITLEMENT TRADE BUSY

Trade for Single Payment Entitlements has been much busy than we have seen before throughout the last few weeks.   We have seen Area Only Entitlement selling for £180 per hectare, and €320 per hectare selling for £230 per hectare.  George Paton of WebbPaton advises ”when farmers or their agents receive their Single Payment and their second Rural Land Registry maps this is a good time to check whether the number entitlements balance with the land a farmer is farming.  If there is a shortfall more entitlement can be bought and if there is a surplus entitlement can be sold”.

DEFRA LAUNCHES FOOD 2030 AT THE OXFORD FARMING CONFERENCE

To read more please go to the DEFRA website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/food/strategy/

UK DAIRY FARMERS TO BE PAID €29,260,000

The EU has approved an emergency aid package for dairy farmers.  The UK's share of the total is 29.26 million euros which is to be allocated to individual farmers by the end of June 2010. DEFRA has until the end of February to decide the objective criteria it will use to distribute the funds.

BUSINESS RATES 2010 REVALUATION

The next revaluation of Non Domestic Rates comes into force on 1^st April 2010 based on rateable values as at 1^st April 2008.  If you think you need a revaluation please contact WebbPaton.

DEADLINE FOR ENTITLEMENT TRADING FOR 2010 USE

Set as 4^th April 2010.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF SP5 FORMS

Set as 17^th May 2010, as the 15^th May 2010 is a Saturday.

RPA CONFIRM MINIMUM CLAIM SIZE FOR 2010 SINGLE PAYMENT

From 2010 onwards the minimum claim size will be 1 hectare. 

GENUINE FARMER FOR SINGLE PAYMENT PURPOSES

Non Farmers no need to worry about whether they will be able to receive their Single Payment in the future.  The RPA have confirmed they will not adopt their proposed “genuine farmer” test after all.

CAMPAIGN FOR THE FARMED ENVIRONMENT

If you need help completing the documentation for the above or want to learn more about it please contact WebbPaton.

IS YOUR ENTRY LEVEL STEWARDSHIP AGREEMENT ENDING THIS YEAR?

The first ELS Agreements entered into by farmers will end from 1^st August 2010.  If your agreement is ending or you want to enter this scheme please ring Cathy Hancock on 01793 842055.

INVESTMENT INTO MICRO AND MAJOR RENEWABLE ENERGY

The UK aims to increase the amount of energy it gets from renewable sources from 1% of its total energy use in 2005 to 30% by 2020.  To encourage investment in micro and major renewable energy the following incentives have been put in place:

·        Obligation to buy - puts an obligation on energy suppliers to buy energy from micro renewables

·        Guaranteed Feed In tariffs - will be paid for over 20 years for new projects, except for solar PV which will be paid for 25 years

·        Ease in obtain planning permission -  through permitted development rights for various micro energy schemes.

WebbPaton have specialist staff who can advise your renewable energy ideas, funding and planning.

CARBON TRUST GREEN FARM FUNDING

The Carbon Trust are offering farmers Interest free loans of between £3,000 and £20,000 over 1 to 4 years (unsecured) to help farmers upgrade equipment to become more energy efficient saving money, and cutting carbon emissions.

Examples of upgrades which the Carbon Trust loans will fund:

·        Milk cooling - accounts for one third of the energy consumption of dairy farms. New systems cost £3,000

·        Insulation - used in field horticulture crop stores, typically costs around £17,000, and saves up to £10,000

·        Grain drying humidity controls - used in arable farming, typically costs £3,000, and saves around £1,500

·        Thermal screens - used in greenhouse horticulture, typically cost up to £20,000, and can save over £10,000

SWARDA AGRICULTURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT GRANT

The South West Area Regional Development Agency are offering a non returnable grant of £10,000 towards to help farmers upgrade equipment to become more energy efficient saving money, and cutting carbon emissions.

NEW ANAEROBIC DIGESTION WEBSITE

For everything you want to know about Anaerobic Digesters DEFRA and DECC have set up the following website: http://www.biogas-info.co.uk/

WEBBPATON XS TO BECOME FARMXS (SOUTH) LTD

We have rebranded our Farm Plastic Recycling Service as FarmXS (South) Ltd.  This is to synchronise branding with our Farm XS sister companies operating nationally.

LANDFILL TAX INCREASE

HM CUSTOMS AND EXCISE have announced that from 1^st April 2010 Landfill Tax will rise from £40 per tonne to £48 per tonne for the standard rate waste, and to £2.50 per tonne for the lower rate waste.  In the 2009 Budget the standard rate waste will be subject to an £8 per tonne increase every year, whilst the lower rate waste will be frozen at £2.50 per tonne.

DEFRA ARE CONSULTING ON A PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COLLECTION OF NON-PACKAGE AGRICULTURAL PLASTIC

Details of this consultation can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/agri-plastics/index.htm

SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL ‘S PROPOSED CORE STRATEGY CONSULTATION ENDS

Swindon BC ‘s proposed Core Strategy Submission Document can be found at: http://www.swindon.gov.uk/core_strategy_proposed_submission_document_-_main_doc.pdf

SWINDON BOROUGH COUNCIL ‘S CONSULTATION “A GREEN PRINT FOR EAST SWINDON” ENDS

Details of Swindon ’s Draft Supplementary Planning Consultation Document on Swindon’s Eastern Development Area have been published. This document shows SBC vision of what they would like to be developed east of the A419 at Swindon.  This new development is to see 12,000 new dwellings built by 2026.  The full consultation document can be found at:  http://www.swindon.gov.uk/spdW

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL ’S PROPOSED CORE STRATEGY CONSULTATION ENDS

Wiltshire Council ‘s proposed Core Strategy Submission Document can be found at: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/environmentandplanning/planninganddevelopment/planningpolicy/localdevelopmentframework/wiltshirecorestrategy/wiltshirecorestrategysustainabilityappraisal.htm

VALE OF WHITE HORSE DISTRICT COUNCIL ADDITIONAL CONSULTATION

VWHDC have delayed the publication of their Proposed Core Strategy Consultation and have published an Additional Consultation document this can be at found at: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/planning/planning_policy/detailpage-6980.asp

 

DEMAND FOR FARMLAND IN GLOUCESTERSHIRE, WILTSHIRE AND OXFORDSHIRE

WebbPaton have enquiries from a number of farmers looking to buy farmland in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.  If you are thinking of selling some of your land please feel free to contact us.  All enquiries will be treated confidentially.

DEMAND FOR STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT LAND

We have investors and Developers who are looking for Strategic Development Land around Swindon, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire.  If you think you have land which might be ideal please contact George Paton who will be pleased to arrange an appointment with you to discuss your options.

PADDINGTON TO SOUTH WEST AND KEMBLE RAILWAY LINES

Network Rail have decided to electrify this railway line.  We believe this will involve widening most of the bridges along the line and will involve a land take.  WebbPaton are well set up in the centre of this major rail route to act for farmers along the line with their negotiations with Network Rail and their compensation claims.   WebbPaton have teamed up with a firm of local solicitors to provide a ‘one stop shop’ for farmers affected by this scheme.  For more details please contact George Paton at WebbPaton on (01793) 842055.

AMC MORTGAGES

In the last few months we have dealt with a large number of Agricultural Mortgage Corporation applications as farmers rearrange the finance on their farms.  With low interest rates now is the time to look carefully at where you can save money on finance.  Mark Webb and Cathy Hancock are happy to speak to you at any time about your mortgage or overdraft or buying land.

ENGLAND CATCHMENT SENSITIVE FARMING GRANTS

Are you eligible?  Deadline for applications 30^th April 2010.  Ask WebbPaton for details.

MARK WEBB MADE NATIONAL PRESIDENT OF THE CAAV

WebbPaton’s founding Partner Mark Webb has become President of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers at their national AGM in June 2009.  Mark will be President in the CAAV’s Centenary Year 2009/2010.  At 47, Mark will be the youngest President that the CAAV has ever had in its entire history.

The CAAV represents agricultural and rural valuers and provides advice on matters affecting the membership to Government in Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels, recent matters include the Mid Term Review of the Common Agricultural Policy and the Tenancy Reform Industry Group report. It maintains close contact with organisations representing rural interests, as well as other professional bodies, and works jointly with these organisations providing particularly valuable input on the many issues raised for the countryside in these rapidly changing times.

GEORGE PATON HAS BEEN SELECTED AS A VOLUNTEER TO WORK IN THE MEDIA CENTRE AT THE WINTER OLYMPICS, VANCOUVER FEBRUARY 2010

WebbPaton’s George Paton has been selected by the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee to be a Volunteer at the Media Centre in Whistler where he will supervise other volunteers working on Press Releases, Press Conferences, Media Tribune organisation and Media and Photo Press Management.  This will be the second time George has acted in this capacity at an Olympics.