Shropshire

County Update

Shropshire County Council - This week, the full Council debated a motion put forward by Liberal Democrat Councilors, supported by the Conservative Group.  The full motion can be read on their website, but in essence it was calling for the Government to rethink its budget proposals and how they will affect the County farms.  It also called for the leader to write to the Defra Secretary to halt the changes to IHT and BPR and also for the them to write to the County's MP's asking them to work together to come up with a fairer solution to taxing farms.

The motion was passed unanimously, with 58 votes for, none against and 6 abstentions (all Labour).

This means that Shropshire now joins a growing number of councils around the country that have expressed their concerns that the Government has got the budget proposals wrong.

The County Adviser has written to a Conservative Councilor for Telford & Wrekin, to ask if there is any such chance of a similar motion being put to the Labour controlled T&W council.

MP's - Work in the county continues apace, with engaging with our MP's.  Both the County Adviser and the County's Council delegate, Richard Yates, have written (separately) to the MP for Telford, Shaun Davies, asking for a meeting on the IHT and BPR.  Mr Davies has declined both requests to meet, on the basis that neither person lives in his constituency, stating that as there are no farms within his patch, we would be better off speaking to more rural MP's.   

If any member employs someone that lives within the Telford Constituency, can they please make contact with Edward Garratt.

Environment Agency - At the time of writing, our environment adviser is meeting with the EA with regards to issues in Shropshire.  The County Adviser has asked Georgie to raise various issues, including drainage boards around Wem,  why Severn Trent are not explaining what happened a few weeks ago with the pollution in the River Severn and asking them what their current stance on permitting inspections of AD plants is.

Sunday 15^th December - The Shrewsbury group will be holding a Back British Farming Display in the market Square in Shrewsbury this Sunday, and will then be taking it up to Halls Auction Centre at the end of the day to support the YFC illuminated tractor run in the evening.

Future Plans - This week we have held an initial meeting about plans for our stand at next years County Show.  We plan to have a display of Shropshire produce, similar to what was done at the Shrewsbury Flower Show a couple of years ago.  

The Clun Forest Branch have started to plan what they will do for the visit of Rachel halos in January, focusing on water quality issues in the Clun and Teme Catchments.

Shrewsbury Tractor Run - Tuesday saw just over 50 tractors assemble at the Auction Mart, prior to driving a "go slow" on a route along the A5.  This was organized by Alan Hughes from Leintwardine.  The County Adviser went along to show support, and got the opportunity to speak to many members and explain what the NFU is doing to fight the budget proposals, and how events like this tractor run are complementary to our lobbying and diplomacy efforts.

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

Blymhill Agricultural Discussion Group

Have a series of winter meetings taking place in 2024/25 at Blymhill Village Hall

5 December at 7.30pm is members night – this meeting will have members talking about their rural businesses 

• Henry Robinson – Dairy farmer
• Scott Walker – Arable farmer
• Hugo Rolland – Arable farmer

23 January 2025 at 7.30pm – the guest speaker will be Hannah Batty. 

Hannah is a farm animal vet and clinical advisor, and Nuffield Scholar. Not born into a farming family, Hannah is fiercely passionate about the benefits of working within the UK dairy industry, having been welcomed in with open arms. Hannah believes in the importance of developing people within our industry and that defining and refining processes can benefit both cattle health and business profitability. 

20 March 2025 at 7.30pm – speaker to be confirmed.

For further information contact Bob Jones, BADG secretary, on 01952 691420 or via email [email protected]

Shropshire YFC Christmas Charity Tractor Run & Craft Fair

Come along and see Santa in his Grotto, enjoy some festive food and refreshments and peruse the craft stalls for last minute gifts.

Raising money for the Cavalier Centre, Severn Hospice, SFYFC and RABI

Date

15 December 2024

Venue & Timings

Open to the public at 4.30pm at Shrewsbury Livestock Market Bowmen Way, Shrewsbury, SY4 3DR

Tractors depart at 6pm.

Cost

£15 per tractor - BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED

£6 for Santa Meet & Greet

Booking

Please contact Shropshire YFC on 01743 442880 for more information, how to book and more

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

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

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

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.

Read our advice on how to deal with scam callers.

Ragwort – control & disposal

The NFU is reminding livestock farmers to remain vigilant to the risk of ragwort poisoning. Here's some advice on control and disposal.

Ragwort poses a real risk to animal health, with potentially fatal consequences if it is ingested by horses or livestock, either in its green or dried state. Left unchecked, a ragwort problem is likely to become worse, as the species is highly vigorous. A single specimen can produce up to 150,000 seeds with a germination rate of up to 70%.

For more advice on control and disposal click here

RABI Quiz Night (chargeable)

Long-standing quizmaster Mervin will hand over the reins to Dave Baldwin and we celebrate an incredible 27yrs of brain-teasing brilliance.

A two-course meal is included in the cost, a bar and raffle will also be available.

Date

7 February 2025

Venue & Timings

Doors open at 6.30pm, food served at 7pm at Hadnall Village Hall.

Cost

£15pp – max team of four.

Booking

To register your place(s) please contact Kate Jones on 07876 492839 or email: [email protected] (please advise of any dietary requirements when booking)

Charity No: 208858

Ludlow Charity Race Day in aid of RABI (chargeable)

Enjoy a fabulous date featuring:

• Champagne reception
• Three course lunch
• An exciting auction
• Full access to thrilling racing

Date

20 March 2025

Venue & Timings

11am at Ludlow Racecourse, SY8 2BT

Cost

£90pp

Booking

To register for your place please click here