The Farmers Mart Dec-Jan 2019 - Issue 60 | Page 15

FARM NEWS 15
• DEC/JAN 2019
NFU OUTLINES IMPORTANCE OF
FOOD STRATEGY AHEAD OF BREXIT
NFU President Minette Batters
has today stressed the need for
a comprehensive food strategy
which sets out a collaborative
vision of the future of food in
Britain.
Speaking at the Egg and Poultry
Industry Conference (EPIC), which
was chaired by NFU chief poultry
adviser Gary Ford, Mrs Batters
said: “The Agriculture Bill and a
new policy offer a once-in-a-gen-
eration chance to influence our
course for the future and we
must seize it by setting out a clear
vision of where we want to be
post-Brexit.
“To do this we need a proactive
plan which joins the dots between
farmers and the wider food man-
ufacturing industry, and builds a
‘
we must work
together to seize
the opportunities
we have been
given and strive
for a future
united by food
’
brand based on the integrity and
standards of British food.
“Looking beyond Brexit, I see
a progressive food and farming
industry which focuses on four
key areas – moral imperative,
health and nutrition, integrity
and standards, and working
with nature –and delivers for all
corners of society while fulfill-
ing our moral obligations in a
global economy and a changing
world.
“As an industry our futures are
inextricably linked, and we will
face many common and pressing
challenges in the months ahead. We
must work together to seize the op-
portunities we have been given and
strive for a future united by food.”
https://www.nfuonline.com/home/
Lynx reintroduction in
Kielder Forest Rejected
MICHAEL Gove, Defra’s
Secretary of State has writ-
ten to the Lynx UK Trust in
response to their application
to release 6 Eurasian Lynx
into Kielder Forest, North-
umberland. There has been
significant public interest
in these proposals and the
Secretary of State called the
application in for his person-
al consideration.
Natural England was asked
to provide advice to Defra
on the application and to
undertake a full assessment
of this, including how the
proposals met international
guidelines for reintroduc-
tions and translocations.
Based on Natural Eng-
land’s advice, the Secretary
of State has decided to
refuse the application as it
was determined, through
scientific advice, that it did
not meet the necessary
standards set out in the
International Union for Con-
servation of Nature (IUCN)
guidelines. An additional
consideration found that
the application did not
comprehensively provide
the necessary information
required for Defra to be
confident in the success of
this proposal.
JCB digs deep for Royal British
Legion poppy appeal
WE will remember them… JCB has paid its
Given the significant
public interest in this pro-
posal, we have chosen to
publish the advice provided
by Natural England. This
decision emphasises the
government’s desire to
ensure project proposals
are comprehensive, meet
international guidelines and
are sufficiently supported
by stakeholders.
The government remains
committed to providing
opportunities for the rein-
troduction of species where
there are clear environ-
mental and socio-economic
benefits.
https://www.gov.uk/
government/publications/
lynx-reintroduction-in-kielder-
forest
final tribute to the World War I generation
by presenting a cheque for more than
£30,000 to The Royal British Legion’s Poppy
Appeal.
The company, which hosted Stafford-
shire’s Poppy Appeal launch at JCB World
Headquarters, Rocester, donated a unique
poppy-liveried mini excavator which was
then auctioned to kickstart the Centenary
appeal. The winning £25,500 bid was made
by JCB customer Arnold Plant Hire Limited.
In addition, JCB commissioned Stoke-on-
Trent ceramics company Valentine Clays
to craft 255 bone china poppies – one for
each soldier in Uttoxeter, and the sur-
rounding villages who lost their life in The
Great War. The limited edition poppies sold
out within days and raised a further £6,375
for the Royal British Legion’s appeal which
provides lifelong support for the Armed
Forces community - serving men and
women, veterans, and their families.
JCB Director George Bamford, son of
JCB Chairman Lord Bamford, presented
the £31,875 total to Royal British Legion
Assistant Director Community Fundraising
and Mass Events Simon O’Leary and also
handed over the keys for the unique mi-
ni-excavator to Arnold Plant Hire Managing
Director Philip Oldham.
He said: “The British Legion’s theme for
the Centenary is ‘Thank You’ and there is no
better way of saying our own thank you than
helping to raise funds for such a worthwhile
cause. Arnold Plant Hire has given very
generously and we are sure the unique
poppy liveried 16C-1 mini-excavator will be a
stunning addition to their JCB fleet.”
www.jcb.com