With its fascinating historical features, enchanting scenery and strong links to the end of the last major ice age, i Parkwood on the Gower is a popular tourist location. Forestry Commission Wales has stepped in to ensure a smoother passage into this environmental jewel after the Welsh Government woodland became the victim of its own alluring beauty. The road allowing access to the site of special scientific interest (SSSI) was showing signs of serious wear and tear, with badly pot-holed areas testifying to Parkwood’s popularity.
Commenting on the announcement on CAP Reform by EU Farm Minister, Dacian Ciolos, Andrew Arnott, a partner of Saffery Champness Landed Estates & Rural Business Group says: “There was not much in the announcement that had not already been leaked. However, it confirms the intention to distribute subsidies more evenly by way of a cap on payments to farmers at 300,000 euros (£261,240) per year. A progressive levy, to be applied on all payments exceeding 150,000 euros (£130,620), was also announced as a proposal. Assuming that the proposals will be approved by both the EU parliament and all member states, this will be bad news for many large arable farmers and some medium scale farming businesses, including those in the uplands.It remains to be seen whether the ‘sustainable and inclusive growth’ for European agriculture can really be achieved through these proposals. I think they could, as they stand, have the opposite effect, acting as a disincentive to invest for farm businesses that are highly-mechanised with lower staffing levels”.
News has recently been leaked from the European Commission that farmers who claim more than €150,000 from the direct support element of the CAP (Pillar1), will see their entitlement payments progressively capped. Commenting on the leaked proposals Mike Harrison, a partner of Saffery Champness Landed Estates & Rural Business Group, says: “There is a strongly worded proposal for progressive cuts in the entitlement payments above €150,000 ( £127,000) with a cap of €300,000 (£255,000)”. Whilst the new regulations will apparently incorporate an allowance which reflects the farm’s wages bill, which is welcome news and should mean that both larger and smaller farms are treated equally, there will be a discrimination for those using external contractors
Property consultancy CKD Galbraith is hosting a discussion event on how to prosper during the property market recovery. CKD Galbraith is experiencing an improvement in the residential housing market and as the economy recovers from the worst of the recession, there will be opportunities for all. A panel of experts from the firm will be highlighting some of the prospects which will be of interest to farmers, landowners and rural property owners. There will then be a question and answers session as well as the chance for guests to speak to the panel individually.
Event speakers
Tommy Loudon, CKD Galbraith: From an Ayrshire farming background, Tommy specialises in Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) grant applications. Tommy will provide an overview of the opportunities within the SRDP grant scheme and how to improve your chances of a successful application.
Simon Brown, CKD Galbraith: Head of Farm Agency for CKD Galbraith, Simon also runs the firm’s Castle Douglas office and farms on his own account near Borgue in Kirkcudbrightshire. Simon will provide an update on the rural property market covering farms and farmland, together with the country residential and development markets.
Neil Wilson, Clydesdale Bank (Ayr Seminar): Neil is a partner in the Treasury Solutions Department of the Clydesdale Bank in Glasgow and is also a farmer.
Malcolm Morrison, Clydesdale Bank (Castles Douglas Seminar): Agricultural Manager for the Clydesdale Bank for Dumfries and Galloway. Neil and Malcolm will address each respective seminar discussing the fallout from the banking crisis, the reasons for the Banks’ present lending policies and likely future development. The Bank’s research on the prospects for agricultural commodities in the next few years: milk, livestock and cereals will also be presented.
