Creditor) & Witheridge Group Chairman Mr Roger Lee Tel: 01363774 254 Vice-Chairman Mr David Gillbard Tel: 01363 877 279 Group Secretary Jeremy Atkins Tel: 01363775 511 crediton@nfumutual.co.uk Newsletter - Spring 2014 Sector Linkmen: Milk - Steve Perry From The Group Secretary.... Livestock - Michael Ayre, CAP reform & Bovine TB have dominated the NFU's focus over the last few years. 2014 has started with Jim Stephens the NFU credited (by the RSPB) with saving Single Farm Payment claimants £244 million per year, Arable-Rob May equivalent to £2.70 per acre claimed, by successfully lobbying for DEFRA not to impose a 15% Organic - Alan Webber, modulation on the Single Farm Payment The 12% modulation is still more than the previous 9% but it Phil Thomas, Richard could have been higher. Thanks to those locally who lobbied our local MP, Mel Stride, on this issue. Burston Nationally it made a difference. I look forward to our group trip to the Houses of Parliament on the 14th Exeter Market - Michael April; please see the article for more detail on the trip. Please also see the Diary Dates section for more Ayre, Jim Stephens information on the events planned. I lookforwardto seeing you at all or any of them! Regards Jeremy NFU Helplines NFU CallFirst From the Chairman... for business help, advice & Having just returned from a meeting with Robert Newbery Chief Dairy Advisor to the NFU at the Exeter support for members office who led a discussion with members about the past, present and future state of the UK and global Tel: 0870 845 8458 dairy industry, I thought what a lot of talent and expertise we have working for us at Stoneleigh etc. These NFU Mutual Claims people make a difference to both national and international policies by keeping politicians and others aware Tel: 0800 282 652 of our pressing issues. Please do come, listen and debate with them if you get a chance—there just happens to be a meeting on NFU Mutual Crediton Thursday 20 Feb with Peter Garbutt, Chief NFU Livestock Advisor at St Boniface Vets Clinic from Exeter Road 7.30pm. Crediton As well as Rob Newbery discussing dairy, Andrew Butler, our NFU Devon County Advisor, updated us on Devon the situation with Bovine T.B. The NFU are preparing ahead of the publication of the pilot cull report in EX17 3BN March and are looking for expressions of interest from areas that would operate culls in the future. Tel: 01363 775 511 Don't forget the 'Cider & Pasty Quiz' on Friday 28 February. I have even asked for a farming round of crediton@nfumutal.co.uk questions! Regards Roger Rural Stress Information From the Deputy Chairman Devon, our own local member Jim Stephens... Network With spring fast approaching the fertiliser spreaders will soon be hitched up and ready for action. Tel: 02475 412 916 On the TB front at grass roots there is willingness for more cull areas to be rolled out Together with farmer Regional R.A.B.I Manager lobbying and Government request for new areas we may now see action in Devon. Pam Wills Many are wondering how the CAP reform will affect our individual businesses. Changes in environmental T: 01749 838 682 schemes and a necessity within SFPS to have a certain amount of 'greening' will mean less money pam.wills@rabi.orq.uk available. With land at a lower production capacity and higher input costs these payments have been a Devon Farmers' lifeline. Benevolent Fund Scotland and Wales have for a long time been actively promoting their regional produce. Welsh lamb has John Daw built a strong recognition at home and in many European countries. Scottish beef, lamb and whisky are Tel: 01363 877 238 now premium products but with livestock numbers diminishing in Scotland because of lack of productivity, Farm Community they cannot supply enough to meet demand. With gaining of PGI for West Country beef and lamb it is Network imperative that quick progress is made and there is a danger of procrastination over detail will lose Tel: 0845 367 9990 momentum. At least four major retailers have expressed interest in promoting the West Country brand. It The Samaritans would be helpful if the supermarkets stopped discounting beef products as a way to outsell rivals. This has Tel: 08457 909 090 contributedtothe recent decline in beef price during the most expensive month of cattle feed. Rural Crimes Officer A new NFU top team will have a large number of issues to address. Devon has an influential vote at the SCInsp Robert Webb National Office Holder Election; having the largest county membership entitles us to seventeen votes. Tel: 07889421028. Meurig Raymond, barring a fall at the last fence looks certain to become our new President. Regards Jim
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