Research to investigate trees in the farmed environment
Harper Adams University has welcomed the first student to investigate the relationship between trees and the farmed environment through a Woodland Trust-sponsored research qualification. Tim Saunders from Eastbourne, Sussex, is the first of three students that will complete 12-months of work in consecutive years for a masters of research (MRes) degree. The project is being […]
Farming is part of the climate change solution
It comes following publication of the UN’s Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which reveals that scientists are 95 per cent certain that human activities are responsible for causing climate change, the warming trend observed over the past 60 years. NFU President Peter Kendall said: “The NFU firmly agrees that climate […]
Buffer zones are not the whole solution
With metaldehyde now the most significant pesticide issue for water companies across England, the Metaldehyde Stewardship Group’s spokesman Dr Paul Fogg said that whilst surface run-off remains an important route to surface water; soil, drainage and weather are critical considerations. He pointed to the highest risk scenario for metaldehyde as being when land is at […]
Do not underestimate the role of sheep in shaping our landscapes
The National Sheep Association (NSA) is extremely alarmed by recent comments from campaigner George Monbiot that iconic areas of the UK have been ‘sheep-wrecked’. NSA says such a stance not only underestimates the role sheep play in shaping our rural environments, but overlooks their pivotal part in ecosystems, local communities and food production. Phil Stocker, […]
Developer hails green light for pumped storage scheme
Today’s decision to approve plans for a 600MWh electricity pumped storage facility in disused slate quarries near Llanberis in north Wales has been hailed by the scheme’s developer as a key step in enabling Britain’s low carbon energy strategy and ensuring the lights stay on. Quarry Battery Company, which is aiming for the GBP 100m […]
How ‘green’ is our food?
The team of scientists compared three types of carbohydrates commonly consumed in Great Britain – British grown potatoes, Italian pasta and Indian basmati rice – in terms of both greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and water use impacts. The research looked at the three foodstuffs from the farm up to delivery to the retailer. Basmati rice […]
AIC urges legislators to rethink approach to regulation
It makes this point as part of a submission to the Government with regards to the balance of legislative power between the EU and UK, and its effect on agricultural industries. This is in response to one of a number of calls for evidence as part of an overall Government review. Jane Salter, Head of […]
The sustainability debate: A win for potatoes
This comes as a result of new research from Cranfield University to compare the total greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and water usage for potatoes against rival carbohydrates, rice and pasta. Environmental concerns when it comes to food production is a major issue for both the farming and manufacturing industry and that’s why Potato Council not […]
NFU gives water maintenance trial backing
The Minister for the Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, confirmed in a letter to stakeholders the development of a more streamlined flood consenting system by mid-2015. The proposals will be trialled on main rivers (those regulated by the Environment Agency) in seven pilot areas starting this autumn. The NFU will work with farmers, the […]
