Category Archives: agriculture

The New Common Agricultural Policy Rules: Can you claim farm benefits for your golf course?

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Miles King

  And so it begins again. The Rule Book for the new Common Agricultural Policy has been published – it’s here. There are some welcome omissions – the much derided 50 Trees rule has been consigned to history. The requirement … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, Common Agricultural Policy, Defra, European Commission, scrub, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Somerset Levels Update: Reflections on Flooding

Posted on November 28, 2014 by Miles King

It’s not just “You forgot the birds” who have been attacking RSPB recently. Earlier this year, they were blamed by a number of people, for causing the flooding in the Somerset Levels and Moors. Christopher Booker, in the Telegraph, was … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, flooding, Maize, Natural England, RSPB, Somerset Levels, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Great Biofuel Maize Scam

Posted on November 17, 2014 by Miles King

  I was drawn back into the muddy world of Biofuel Maize by reading an article in the Western Morning News entitled planting right variety of maize boosts AD Output. The piece was a bit of puff for the AD … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, biogas, climate change, Maize | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

Boris Calls for CAP to be scrapped: Farmers warn this will cause the sun to explode

Posted on October 1, 2014 by Miles King

From Farmers Weekly: “Boris Johnson calls for CAP to be scrapped Philip Case Tuesday 30 September 2014 09:00 London Mayor Boris Johnson has called for the CAP to be scrapped. In a letter to the Daily Telegraph, Mr Johnson said he … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, Boris Johnson, Common Agricultural Policy, NFU | Tagged , | Leave a comment

The CLA in Wales cares more about protecting meadows than CLA in England

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Miles King

a wildflower meadow (c) Miles King In these days where devolution is in the air, it’s worth considering how differently two UK countries use regulation to protect wildlife. This press release from the Country Landowners Association Cymru, was picked up … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, CLA, deregulation, EIA, grasslands, Wales | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

NFU special pleading knows no bounds

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Miles King

NFU President Meurig Raymond’s image is front and centre of the new NFU 2014 manifesto. He appears to have popped up from a hole, perhaps arising from an underground chamber: is this is satirical take on NFU’s relationship with badgers? … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, deregulation, Neonicotinoids, NFU, regulatory reform | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

The CAP no longer fits

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Miles King

If there was any doubt before, the Local and Euro Election results indicate there is no doubt that the future of Britain in the EU and perhaps of the entire EU project, now hangs in the balance. Euro scepticism has … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, Common Agricultural Policy, farming, neoliberalism, Owen Paterson, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

The CLA reacts hysterically to ideas of removing farm tax-exemptions ; the dependency on state handouts is akin to drug addiction.

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Miles King

I’m tempted to emulate the satire of Tom Pride’s Pride’s Purge with this story, but in truth it needs no satire. Apparently a “leaked document” purports to suggest that Labour are thinking about removing business rate exemptions on Agricultural Land, … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, CLA, farm tax breaks, farming, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Paterson – climate change will increase crop yields: Govt Scientists -Climate Change will cause crop failure

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Miles King

David Cameron may or may not be preparing for a major cabinet reshuffle following the Euro and Local Elections – and my favourite blog fodder Secretary of State against the Environment Owen Paterson may or may not be looking to … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, climate change, Matt Ridley, Owen Paterson | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

NFU Deputy President, representing 50k wealthy farmers on £2Bn/yr welfare benefits, attacks green NGOs as single issue pressure groups

Posted on May 29, 2014 by Miles King

Today’s offering from Farmers Weekly reports Deputy President Minette Batters argue that boosting food production is the key to a thriving rural economy. Same old NFU there. But with 2.1 billion overweight or obese in the world, and the UK … Continue reading →

Posted in agriculture, badgers, NFU | Tagged , , | 7 Comments