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More protection from irresponsible drone use is needed
The NFU is calling for more protection for farmers and their stock who are vulnerable to irresponsible use of drones , as the Department for Transport launches a consultation on proposed measures .
A s drone use on farm is multidimensional and can improve production efficiency for farm businesses , the NFU will be responding to the consultation to emphasise that the professional and responsible agricultural use of drones must be protected to enable farms to continue to use them safely . The NFU will also be addressing concerns over their misuse .
New measures being consulted on include mandatory registration of new drones over 250 grams , a theory test for users , increased penalties for misuse of drones and potential new criminal offences to deter and address misbehavior with drones .
NFU Vice President Guy Smith said : “ The NFU welcomes this consultation and we urge our members to contact us to feed in their views . Drone use on farm is multi-dimensional and we will communicate to Government the advantages this can have for farmers – from gathering data to recording images of their farm .
“ There are exciting developments in the pipeline for on farm done use , such as crop applications , which could keep British farming at the cutting edge and internationally competitive .
“ However , we are also very aware of instances of irresponsible use of drones by members of the public and have already seen the first instances of sheep
Fiona Fell to stand down as AHDB Potatoes Chair
After three years in office , Fiona Fell has announced she will stand down as an AHDB Board Member and Chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board at the end of her term in office .
F iona , who is based in Northumberland and comes from a farming family in Worcestershire , will complete her term of office in March 2017 .
Fiona added : “ It is a real privilege to have had the opportunity to develop the potential of AHDB and to lead the Potato Sector Board . I appreciate the hard work and commitment that the Potato Board members and all the staff have put in , particularly over the last 18 months during the AHDB restructure .”
Fiona has completed nine years with AHDB , six as an independent member of the Potato Sector Board , including acting as interim chair , and three as a main AHDB Board Member and also as Chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board .
AHDB chairman Peter Kendall said : “ I thank Fiona for her contribution to the work of the Board during this period of change and the passion and thoughtful energy she put into the role .”
Defra will now start the search for another strong leader who , first and foremost , will be an AHDB board member helping the organisation achieve its vision to build a world class food and farming industry inspired by , and competing with the best . That person will also need to be able to champion the potato sector as the new chair of the AHDB Potato Sector Board . Fiona added : “ For my successor this is an exciting time , as an AHDB board member , making a real impact ; delivering a fresh strategy at a time when agriculture , horticulture and the food industry need AHDB to assist in meeting the challenges of a changing market both domestically and in terms of export opportunities .”
“ Building the future of the industry with the Next Generation Scheme , PhDs , and Fellowships and leading ground breaking cross sector soils work , are laying strong foundations ”
“ It has been very satisfying seeing new ways of working to deliver benefits to levy payers . Enhancing the exchange of knowledge between growers and scientists via the Strategic Potato ( SPot ) Farms , and winning external funding to further modernise the facilities at Sutton Bridge Crop Storage Research are recent achievements .
“ Building the future of the industry with the Next Generation Scheme , PhDs , and Fellowships and leading ground breaking cross sector soils work , are laying strong foundations .
“ We are mindful of how essential it is to value the reputation of our crops and produce , so are harnessing experience across AHDB and the industry to advocate all that is great about GB potatoes and potato products .”
Fiona , who trained and worked as a vet for a number of years , is currently on the Board of CIEL ( Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock ) and the Advisory Board of Newcastle University ' s School of Agriculture , Food and Rural Development . She also holds several positions in the charitable sector .
08 | Farming Monthly | January 2017 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk