The Farmers Mart Feb-Mar 2018 - Issue 55 | Page 6

6 FARM NEWS FEB/MAR 2018 • farmers-mart.co.uk Futher evidence continues to indicate potential ‘cliff edge’ labour shortage facing dairy farms Following extensive work on the potential labour shortage facing dairy farms post-Brexit, the RABDF last week submitted an inquiry to the Environment, Food & Rural Affairs Committee. THE organisation’s latest work was carried out in conjunction with Kite Consulting using a different database of over 1000 UK dairy farms supplied by Ian Potter Marketing Services. Kite Consulting’s John Allen said the supply of skilled, dedicated foreign work- ers is critical to the success and long-term prosperity of the sector. He continued: “It is clear there is confu- sion between seasonal workers in certain food producing sectors compared to the skilled and permanent needs of those in dairy farming – without a rapid solution to this problem there will be a negative impact on the economic viability of the sector.” Reliance on non-UK labour varies across the UK* with the highest being in the South East. The South West, North West and Scotland are relatively similar with Welsh respondents relying slightly more. ‘ there is confusion between seasonal workers in certain food producing sectors compared to the skilled and permanent needs of those in dairy farming ’ Other consumer survey results indicate a lack of willingness among UK nationals to consider a career on dairy farms with rea- sons being working environment, unsocial hours, jobs involving machinery or animals and the rural location. Wholly supported by a range of reports issued over the past decade RABDF acknowledge the need of the sector to address its underlying lack of attractiveness of the sector as a career option to the domestic workforce. The phone that’s as tough as a Land Rover THE new Land Rover Explore mobile phone is built to work in places other phones can’t reach. The mobile, inspired by Land Rover’s rugged ‘go anywhere’ 4x4s for those with an adventurous spirit, is capable of operating and navigating in extreme conditions for two full days with the screen on constantly. Battery life can be doubled by using an Adventure Pack that also boosts the relia- bility and accuracy of the GPS signal and improves the mapping capabilities. The ultra-durable phone is powered by a super powerful 4000m Ah battery with a factory fitted screen protector and protec- tive case than can survive underwater to 1.8 metres - including salt water. It can cope with extreme temperatures from freezing cold to blistering heat, ther- mal shock, intense humidity and vibration exposure. The full HD five-inch screen can be con- trolled even when wet and with gloved hands and has instant access to weather information and mapping data, plus its own compass and SOS light making it the perfect phone for hik- ing, biking, skiing or off-road adventures. The phone is fully compatible with all Land Rover in-car Apps and works as well in the city as it does in the great outdoors. It is available with hardware packs, including an additional battery and bike mount. Developed by Land Rover and the Bullitt Group the Explore phone with Adventure Pack costs £599. Environment Agency urged to delay charge proposals The NFU is urging the Environment Agency (EA) to delay the introduction of changes to its charging regimes which could see significant increased costs for farming businesses. A consultation document pub- lished by the EA last November proposes a number of several fold increases in application, variation, surrender and annual compliance permit fees, which the NFU says are disproportion- ately high. Permit systems for poultry farming, landspreading of waste and sheep dip, on-farm anaero- bic digestion and flood manage- ment would all be affected. Mark Pope, NFU environment forum chairman, said: “These proposed huge increases within the charging regimes could have a detrimental effect on many farm businesses. “Very little information has been provided on the basis for these charge changes so the onus is solely on the EA to demonstrate greater transparen- cy and show that these costs are fair, proportionate and compet- itive. ‘ very little information has been provided on the basis for these charge changes so the onus is solely on the EA to demonstrate greater transparency ’ “We’re extremely concerned that instead of investing in im- proving efficiency, productivity and new technology, we could see a lot of our costs tied up with inflated administrative costs. We want farming to continue to im- prove its environmental perfor- mance, but these cost increases could be seen as a disincen- tive to improve management practices or limit the availability of management options in the future. The proposals could also put up barriers to new permit applicants. “That’s why we want to see the Environment Agency delay the implementation until at least April 2019 to give us time to have further discussions with the EA to find ways of keeping our costs down.”