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FC Wales smooths passage to important woodland

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.

 
Saffery Champness comment on CAP Reform announcement

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”.

 
Leaked proposals for the reform of CAP entitlements

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

 

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Home Rural agency New entrants to farming welcome on Scottish estate
New entrants to farming welcome on Scottish estate PDF Print E-mail
Written by John Vaughan   
Monday, 19 October 2009 13:52

 
Kildavarran Farm, Isle of Bute

Bute Estate, working in conjunction with rural property specialists CKD Galbraith, has announced details of a range of new farm lettings on the Isle of Bute.

Out of a total of five estate farms being offered for let on the island, two have been let to new entrants on 15-year Limited Duration Tenancies, one has been let on a five-year Short Limited Duration Tenancy and two others are under offer.

John Bute, chairman of the Mount Stuart Trust, which owns Bute Estate, said: “I am very pleased to agree lengthy tenancy agreements with two very keen young farmers who have now secured a significant foothold on the farming ladder. 

I am also satisfied that, having agreed an SLDT on Quochag farm with the largest dairy producer on the island, we have supported the island’s dairy producers.  All in all, this is good news for these farmers, the Bute Estate and First Milk’s Rothesay Creamery.”

Working closely with the Estate Factor, Nick Mellish, CKD Galbraith conducted the negotiations on the farm lettings on behalf of the estate and decisions will be made on offers for two further farms soon.

Chris Addison-Scott, who leads CKD Galbraith’s farming department, said: “It is very heartening for farming on Bute to see arrangements being agreed where two young farmers take a major step forward in their careers.

There has also been a lot of concern expressed about the future of dairy farming on Bute and dairy farmers have been crying out for more land. We have been able to help on this occasion. Overall, these lettings have delivered good results for both the estate and the farmers.”

The farms let are:

  • Little Kilmory, a traditional stock rearing farm of 378 acres. It is being let on a 15-year LDT to Ian Dickson, whose father, John, farms at nearby Scalpsie. Ian Dicskon (22) said: “I am grateful that Mount Stuart Trust have given me the opportunity to establish my own business and I look forward to working with the Trust. Hopefully I will be able to gain access to the new entrant scheme for young farmers”.
  • Lubas, a small stock rearing farm of 143 acres. Lubas is formerly a Limited Partnership tenancy which came to a natural end and is to be let to Shaun Lyon, on a 15-year LDT. His father, James, is a tenant on the estate at Little Kilchatten Farm. Shaun Lyon (22) said: “It is great that Mount Stuart Trust has given me this opportunity to start my own business at the early age of 22 and I hope to be able to make use of the Government’s scheme for new entrants into farming.” 
  • Quochag, a traditional stock farm of 128 acres. Quohag was formerly an SLDT which came to an end following the retirement of the previous incumbent and is to be let to Duncan McAllister, the largest dairy farmer on Bute. He said: “By granting me the lease of Quochag, Mount Stuart Trust has enabled me to make my business more self-sufficient and to make better use of slurry and farmland manure produced on the main holding of Kerrytonlia.”
  • Achavoulaig Farm (567 acres) and Kildavannan Farm (289 acres) are both under offer and final decisions will be made by the estate soon.

 

Last Updated on Saturday, 24 October 2009 07:26
 
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