Time to reform Common Agricultural Policy – Lords EU Committee
The House of Lords EU Committee has today published a report investigating what needs to be done to boost the resilience of the farming sector in the face of challenges such as volatile prices. It calls on the European Commission to reform the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to primarily support the provision of public goods, […]
R.A.B.I elects first Welsh Chairman in 156-year history
Malcolm Thomas MBE ARAgS is the new chairman of farming’s oldest welfare charity, the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (R.A.B.I). He is the first Welshman to be elected to the position in the charity’s long 156-year history. Malcolm took over the helm following this week’s AGM at The Manor Hotel in Weston-on-the-Green, Oxford, which was attended […]
Dr Robert Merrall appointed President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE)
Rob Merrall, an independent consultant with Innovate UK, the Government’s Innovation Agency has been appointed President of the Institution of Agricultural Engineers. Well-known in the agricultural sector, Rob spent his early career in agricultural engineering research at Cranfield University before working in roles with the Renault Group, as a director of two major UK farm […]
NFU and CLA urge Secretary of State to prioritise urgent action on BPS
NFU and CLA have today written to the Defra Secretary of State Liz Truss MP to encourage her to urgently take a public and proactive role in leading the response to criticisms of the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme and the consequences for 2016. With financial hardship cases mounting, anxiety rising among BPS claimants, farmers expressing […]
Alltech agrees to acquire Keenan
Alltech has agreed to acquire Keenan, a leading farming solutions company in Ireland. Keenan, now part of the Alltech family of companies, is the 14th acquisition for Alltech globally since 2011. “The Keenan group has long been a friend of Alltech. This is a story about two great Irish; globally-minded companies coming together. As an […]
BASIS appoints new Chief Executive
Stephen Jacob has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of BASIS Registration Ltd the independent standards setting and auditing organisation for the pesticide, fertiliser and allied industries. Mr Jacob joined BASIS in 2011 as Business Development Manager and was appointed Acting CEO in November after the resignation of the previous Managing Director. BASIS Chairman Chris Clarke […]
British farmers a step closer to accessing lucrative beef and lamb markets worth £60 million
British beef and lamb farmers are a step closer to a £60 million a year export boost, following further talks between the UK and the USA to negotiate a deal to access the lucrative American market, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss has said. Visiting the US as part of a worldwide Food is GREAT campaign to […]
Claydon Drills expands sales team in Wales and the North West
Claydon Drills has expanded its sales team with the appointment of Peter Homer, who will work closely with Commercial Director Spencer Claydon, together with Territory Managers Taig Norman in the North/East and Mike Green in the South/West, to expand the dealer network and customer base throughout Wales and The Wirral. Peter joined Claydon Drills in […]
New President for AEA
Ian Small, the head of sales and marketing for Briggs & Stratton UK, takes over the annual presidency of the Agricultural Engineers Association and plans to focus on training and communication during his year. Ian has been with Briggs & Stratton, the world’s largest manufacturer of air-cooled petrol engines for horticultural and outdoor power equipment, […]
