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Useful information, resources & available funding….

Rural Payments Agency opens application windows for farm payments for 2023

Farmers can now apply for the Basic Payment Scheme and claim for their existing Countryside Stewardship revenue and Environmental Stewardship agreements.

Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain

On 7 March, the government launched proposals to require all poultry keepers to officially register their birds as part of efforts to tackle avian influenza.
The new rules would apply to all keepers, no matter how many birds they have. At present, only those who keep 50 birds or more are required by law to do so. They would also be required to update their information on an annual basis.
A 12-week Great Britain wide consultation will run until 31 May.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) import restrictions: Argentina

The following restrictions apply to imports into Great Britain from Argentina for animals slaughtered on or after 28 February 2023:

  • Imports of poultry, ratite and wild game bird meat are suspended.
  • Meat products of poultry and farmed feathered game must be heat treated to 70°C throughout the meat (heat treatment ‘D’). Note that the requirement for heat treatment ‘D’ already applies to wild game birds.

This is due to the confirmation of an HPAI outbreak on 28 February 2023 at a commercial poultry farm in Argentina. These restrictions will remain in place until Argentina is recognised by the UK as disease free for HPAI. Further information can be found at: Imports, exports and EU trade of animals and animal products: topical issues. For updated import information on the affected products, please visit: Exporting to Great Britain: approved countries for animals and animal products.

Defra ‘Routes to Retail’ guide

Defra have released of a new Defra “Routes to Retail” guide, which has been produced in conjunction with SALSA and Ocado.

Windsor Framework unveiled to fix problems of the Northern Ireland Protocol

The Windsor Framework, agreed by the Prime Minister and European Commission President, replaces the old Northern Ireland Protocol, providing a new legal and UK constitutional framework. Find out more about the Framework by reading these Sector explainers, including one on the Food retail green lane. Read or watch the Prime Minister’s speech and press conference with the European Commission President.

Reporting requirements for Extended producer Responsibility are now in force

Plans to make it easier for consumers to recycle packaging waste move a step closer, as reporting requirements for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) came into force on Wednesday 1 March. Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR) will make firms that supply household packaging responsible for the costs of dealing with packaging waste, moving costs away from councils and council taxpayers.

DBT unveils new ‘Help to Grow’ site to support businesses and grow the economy

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) has unveiled a new centralised website, targeted at helping the UK’s 5.5 million businesses.
The new ‘Help to Grow’ site from DBT is aimed at upskilling both big and small businesses across the country by helping them to:

  • Learn new skills
  • Reach more customers
  • Boost business profits

Seasonal worker wage to revert to National Living Wage

Defra has announced the removal of the seasonal worker scheme wage meaning that workers’ pay will revert to the NLW (National Living Wage).

The seasonal worker wage was due to increase by 60p per hour, which would have left growers facing a 13.5% year-on-year wage inflation. Growers have welcomed the decision as labour is one of the highest costs associated with producing fruit and vegetables.