The Farmers Mart Aug-Sep 2019 - Issue 64 | Page 20

20 FARM NEWS
AUG/SEP 2019 • farmers-mart.co.uk
5G rollout must be ‘practical
and balanced’ - NFU
A ten-week consultation has been
opened by the government which
seeks views on the principle of
amending permitted development
rights in England to grant planning
permission for mobile infrastruc-
ture to support deployment of
5G and extend mobile coverage,
particularly in rural areas.
NFU chief economic adviser
Dr Andrew Francis said: “It is
crucial that rural areas receive the
same level of mobile coverage
and broadband connectivity as
urban areas and we welcome the
Government’s commitment to
ensuring it delivers connectivity to
these areas.
“We welcome the opportunities
that 5G can provide to improve
farm productivity, but its roll-out
must be practical and be balanced
with the interests of landowners
and the visual impact in the
countryside.
“The NFU’s annual broadband
and mobile survey has consist-
ently highlighted the poor level
of coverage experienced in the
countryside, with only 17% of
respondents in 2018 having access
to a reliable outdoor mobile
signal. It is essential that the
rural economy is not left behind
because of a lack of mobile cover-
age and connectivity.”
www.gov.uk/government/
consultations/proposed-reforms-
to-permitted-development-rights-
to-support-the-deployment-of-5g-
and-extend-mobile-coverage,
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/
government/uploads/system/
uploads/attachment_data/
file/827162/Proposed_reforms_
to_permitted_development_
rights_to_support_the_
deployment_of_5G_consultation.
pdf?_ga=2.90534618.1938778925.1566913179-
180940486.1560872959
Public to have their say on
the food system of the future
BRITISH shoppers will be able to
buy environmentally friendly,
healthy and affordable food under
plans for a radical shake-up of the
UK’s food industry.
Shoppers will be able to buy
environmentally friendly, healthy
and affordable food under plans
for a radical shake-up of the UK’s
food industry.
As one of the first steps, the
government is today launching a
call for evidence, giving everyone
from consumers, farmers and
food producers, to scientists and
academics, an opportunity to
shape how we produce, sell and
consume food in the UK.
Their views will inform the first
major review of the nation’s food
system in nearly 75 years, led by
entrepreneur Henry Dimbleby,
to ensure the food industry is fit
for the future, supports growth,
enhances the environment and is
resilient to the challenges posed
by climate change.
Environment Secretary Theresa
Villiers said:
“As well as keeping us alive and
healthy, food plays a central role in
our culture and our national life. The
threats from climate change, loss of
biodiversity and the need to deliver
safe and affordable food gives rise to
new challenges we must address.
“As we leave the EU and seek to
capitalise on the opportunities this
can provide for the UK’s farmers
and food producers, we have
the chance to reshape our food
system from farm to fork to ensure
it is ready to deal with these 21st
century pressures.
So, I am delighted to launch this
call for evidence to build on the
excellent work Henry Dimbleby
has already done on this impor-
tant review. We should not
underplay the importance of the
food we eat for our environment,
our health and our society, and I
encourage people to share their
views on the way ahead.”
The review will look at what is
working well already and the role
of new technology to revolutionise
our food supply – from inno-
vations like vertical farming and
robotics, to carbon neutral man-
ufacturing and crops that tackle
climate change. No idea is too big
or small to be considered.
Thousands Visit
11th Country Fest
DESPITE the showers, almost
15,000 visitors attended the Country
Fest at Crooklands, enjoying
everything the festival had to offer,
celebrating the British countryside.
The Bolddog Lings wowed
crowds in the Lloyd South Lakes
Demo Arena with daring airborne
stunts encouraged by a cheering
audience. The crowd-pleasing
Terrier racing was great fun and
other highlights included the Fell
Pony Display Team choreographed
beautifully to music, historic and
classic motorcycles and Old Hall
Farm Bouth brought one of their
immaculately turned out Shire
horse’s and Charlotte gave a most
enlightened commentary on the
breed.
We were delighted to host the
IWA National Trailboat Festival, part
of the bicentenary celebrations of
the opening of the Lancaster Canal.
Trailboaters from throughout the
UK had gathered on the Northern
Reaches with a stunning array of
boats culminating in an illuminated
flotilla.
The new Floral Design Marquee
amazed visitors with the creative
and imaginative flower displays,
demonstrations, and have a-go-
work stations. Another first this
year was the “Thriving Trolleys”
Competition open to local primary
schools, who were challenged to
plant, grow and nurture an array
of flowers fruit or vegetables in
a supermarket trolley within the
theme of Health and Happiness.
Congratulations go to Flookburgh
Primary School who gained first
place.
The McClures Food Theatre was
packed all weekend with people
enjoying cookery demonstrations
from numerous chefs including 2019
MasterChef winner Irini Tzortzoglou.
The Sew Crafty Marquee was busy
with both young and old hand
making hearts for the special baby
care unit.
The WI Marquee celebrated
“Market Day” and the Vintage
Revival Marquee included a Vintage
Tea Room serving tea and cakes
which was a big hit and poignant
in this special 75th anniversary
of D-day. The extremely popular
Food Zone was full of all manner of
delicious food and drink for visitors
to purchase and take home.
Record entries took part in the
Young Shepherd event, part of
the Rare Breeds Survival Trust
section. Popular favourites included
Discover Farming, Pets Corner and
Poultry and Rabbit Shows plus the
Kite Festival. The Companion Dog
Show and Terrier Show were well
supported, with the Westmorland
Veterinary Group presenting
rosettes to the winners.
westmorlandshow.co.uk
TV Presenter Julia Bradbury to
Front Countryside Live 2019
ORGANISERS of this year’s
Countryside Live in Harrogate are
delighted to announce that Julia
Bradbury will front the two-day
event for the first time.
Best known for presenting
Countryfile on the BBC and
Britain’s Best Walks and Australia
with Julia Bradbury on ITV, Julia
is renowned for being genuinely
passionate about the countryside
and outdoor pursuits.
Julia has co-founded with her
sister Gina, a free online resource
dedicated to the outdoors called The
Outdoor Guide (TOG), which will also
have a presence at the show.
Fans can meet Julia at
Countryside Live on the Great
Yorkshire Showground in
Harrogate on Saturday October
19th and Sunday October 20th!
Stray FM’s Will Smith and Nick
Hancock will be back to host
quizzes and prize giveaways in
the Tipsy Heifer pub.
Now in its 17th year, Countryside
Live usually attracts around 12,000
visitors across two days. As well
as family activities, there are 2,000
animals who converge on the
showground over the two days to
compete.
From horses to honey, pigs to
poultry, sheep to cattle, pigeons
to rabbits there are competi-
tions and classes throughout
the weekend. Elsewhere
there’s birds of prey displays,
hundreds of stands to browse,
horticultural classes and farriery
competitions.
Changes have been made to
improve the layout of the event
with cattle being brought back into
Hall 2. The White Rose Ring will
continue to hold Ridden Coloureds
and the Olympia Ridden Mountain
& Moorland section followed by a
host of TSR (The Showing Register)
classes on both afternoons. The
Main Ring will see the exciting
Northern Show Cross Competitions
return again.