Govt., Defra, Etc.

In this section of our web, AVRA is drawing attention to some of the statements issued by Central Govt., Defra, the Environmental Agency, the EEC and others.
We have not made any conclusions from these statements - we think that these conclusions are obvious to all of you concerned about the Polytunnel issue and development without Planning Permission - both here in Herefordshire and elsewhere. Please act as necessary by taking up any issues with your local MP and others.

DEFRA
Since 1997 the area of land farmed organically in the UK has increased thirteen-fold, from 50,798 hectares to over 690,000 hectares today. Although there is still some way to go, it is encouraging that at this rate we are on course to meet our target of 70pc of indigenous organic products sourced in the UK by 2010. My department seeks to ensure that food is produced safely, with respect for the environment, soil health and fertility, bio-diversity and the wider landscape, while meeting demands for home-qrown or local and speciality foods. We are also committed to providing funds and assistance for those farmers wanting to convert,

Lord Bach, Food and Farming Minister, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Source: Daily Telegraph 22nd. October 2005

The Common Agricultural Policy subsidies have been disclosed for the year 2003-2004 under the Freedom of Information Act. One of the bigger recipients of EU grants in England was KG Growers, parent of KG Fruits and part of the Davison empire of Ledbury; they received £2,440,148.89 last year !

Further details available from www.guardian.co.uk/foi

Extract from an article by Sam Jones in The Guardian (Jan 2005)

Gangmaster regulator named: The government yesterday announced further details of a watchdog designed to curb the exploitation of labourers by licensing the gangmasters who supply cheap and informal labour to the agricultural industry.
The Gangmaster Licensing Authority (GLA), which is to begin work in April, will develop and operate a licensing scheme, set licensing conditions and maintain a register of licensed labour providers in the agriculture, shellfish and related processing and packaging sectors.
It will be illegal for anyone to act as gangmasters without a licence and it will also be illegal for anyone to use an unlicensed gangmaster.
Offenders face up to 10 years in jail.

The body will be chaired by Paul Whitehouse, a former chief constable of Sussex. Michael Wilson will be chief executive. These appointments will not be confirmed until March when parliament is due to adopt the regulations underpinning the GLA's operation.

Extract from Single Payment Scheme: Cross Compliance Guidance for the Management of Habitats and Landscape Features
2005 Edition: Rural Payments Agency, Defra
Section :Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC): Maintenance of habitats and landscape features

GAEC 8: Public Rights of Way:

Clause 88 (page 21): Minimum and maximum widths for cross field and field-edge paths

Cross-field footpath    1.0 metre min.    1.8 metre max
Field-edge footpath   1.5 metre min      1.8 metre max

Clause 93 (page 22): Bad practice - actions to avoid (failure to avoid may cause you to be in breach of GAEC and liable to penalties relating to your Single Payment and other direct subsidies). "You must not spray any rights of way with a pesticide where its use will pose a risk to the public"

Full details of this report are available from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX Tel 0845 955 6000 quoting reference PB 10222B.

Extract from Single Payment Scheme: Information for farmers and growers in England: November 2004 update. Defra

" Farming in England continues to play a vitally important role in the production of safe, healthy and nutritious food, in the responsible management of our countryside, and through its wider contribution to thriving rural economies. ......

" At the same time, we are creating a framework in which farmers are rewarded for the responsible management of our landscape and natural resources.

"With an authorised entitlement, you can grow the following crops and claim payment from the SPS (Single Payment Scheme) on that land:

Full details of this report are available from Defra Publications, Admail 6000, London SW1A 2XX Tel 0845 955 6000 quoting reference PB 100222E.

Extract from Charles Clover Article: Daily Telegraph 6th. October 2004

"9 out of 10 rivers in England are likely to fail new EU standards for ecological quality, the Government said yesterday.

"The reason is that the new method of assessment required under the European Commission's water framework directive includes a wider range of activities that have an adverse impact on rivers, lakes and waterways. These include rural and urban diffuse pollution (fertilisers from the land and run-off from streets and motorways), fisheries, over-abstraction and man-made changes to banks and riverbeds.

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