County Update
On Tuesday 21 January, 1:30-4:30pm, we are holding an event for NFU members to learn more about how proposed changes to Inheritance Tax could impact their businesses. Talks from accountancy, banking and legal will take place along with the opportunity to ask your individual questions. Taking place at The Shell Store, Rotherwas Estate, HR2 6SR. For more information and how to book click HERE. Please do rest assured we remain committed to not stop until the tax is finally subject to consultation and proper scrutiny. However, it’s important farmers have an understanding of the current situation. Hearing from experts could also provide useful information on business planning which is still essential regardless of the IHT outcome
Please join us for a National Day of Unity on Saturday 25 January to continue pressure on the government to halt the controversial family farm tax that will devastate family farms. In Herefordshire we are using this as a chance to promote our fantastic farmers in the county. We are asking MPs, Herefordshire Council, key stakeholders within the county, the press and public to come and hear from us as to why it is so important to support Herefordshire food production.
How you can get involved:
- Come to the display being held in High Town (by the bull) from 12pm – 4pm at any time
- If you would like to bring some of your Herefordshire produce along to showcase please do so
- We will be collecting food bank donations. If you are able to bring something with you that would be hugely appreciated – click HERE to see the items the food bank need and can accept
National Day of Unity
Farmers from across the UK will stage a National Day of Unity in January as pressure builds on the government to halt the controversial family farm tax that will devastate family farms across the country.
Date
25 January 2025
For more information, please click here
Notice for time limited abstraction licence (TLL) holders
The EA are concerned that a large number of TLL holders whose licences are due to expire on the 31 March 2025 have not yet applied to renew their licences.
It is important that licence holders submit their TLL renewal applications by 31 December 2024 to allow enough time for the EA to determine the applications before they expire. Please don’t delay and risk your application not being determined by the expiry date. Renewal applications submitted before this date also benefit from limited extension of validity (LEV) which means that the expiring licence is considered to remain ‘live’ until the EA have finished assessing the replacement.
More details on renewing licences can be found here.
NFU Midlands Younger Member Events
The next Midlands regional event will be on 5 March 2025 for more information and to register please click here
Farm for the Future – Royal Countryside Fund
Do you want help navigating agricultural policy changes including help with understanding ELMs and SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive)?
If you’re an owner-occupied or tenant farm in England that received BPS, The Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm for the Future programme is in its final year, offering a last chance for free support which includes a 1-2-1 session with a consultant to talk about your farm.
Its online workshops can be joined from the comfort of your own home via Zoom to help you and your farm business navigate policy changes and become more resilient and sustainable.
To find out more and sign up to the online group, contact Christina Hutchings via email [email protected] or call 07715 353 546 or visit www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk/farmforthefuture
Call for Participants: Advancing Fairness in the UK Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Sector – University of Leicester
Are you into fresh fruit and or vegetable cultivation in the UK? University of Leicester are conducting a study on advancing fairness in fresh fruit and vegetable sector and would love to hear from you!
Participation in the study involves farmers who are into the cultivation of fresh fruits and vegetables in the UK and who are suppliers to large retailers in the UK.
All data collected will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and anonymity based on University of Leicester's guideline and used solely for academic purposes.
To participate or learn more, please Visit https://bit.ly/3L6VQTZ or contact Nike directly through [email protected].
Members support would be invaluable to the success of this research.
Questionnaire for pilot study - https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Ip8UzYPUFmq1UG9FIUnzVaHnAQRUG1V/view?usp=sharing
Be vigilant of scam callers
If you receive a call that looks like it is from NFU Headquarters and are unsure then please hang up, do not pass on any personal details.
You can contact NFU CallFirst on 0370 845 8458 to check if we are doing any calls or promotions.
Cyber Crime
The Midlands NFU held an online member meeting with WMRCCU in autumn 2023, the opportunity to register with them is still available, this is aimed to improve your business’s cyber security.
With membership at the WMRCCU, you will receive regular tips and guidance on how to firm up your business’s cyber security.
Register to become a member (for free) today at www.wmcrc.co.uk/membership