What you need to know

Tackling bovine TB in England
Caroline Spelman has announced that bovine TB is to be tackled by a package of measures which include controlled culling of badgers as part of a science-led and carefully managed badger control policy. The policy is expected to be piloted initially in two areas in early Autumn next year.

Defra wins EU agreement for farmers on movement reporting of older sheep
Defra has persuaded EU Member States to delay the date from which sheep keepers have to include individual tag numbers from sheep identified before 2010 on movement documents. These are the “historic flock” animals that do not have to be electronically tagged. Instead of having to do this from 31/12/2011 this will not now be required until 31/12/2014. There is no prospect of any further extension to this date, so keepers should be thinking ahead now about how they will individually record any older animals remaining in their flocks from the end of 2014. In the meantime keepers must continue to report the movements of these sheep on a batch basis. This change will save British sheep keepers between £4-11.5m over the next three years.

UK unites to stamp out battery cages 
Tough action will be taken to improve welfare standards and living conditions for hens and prevent eggs produced in “battery cages” being sold in the UK, Agricultural Minister Jim Paice announced on 6th December. An EU ban on battery cages comes into effect on 1 January 2012, from when egg producers are required to provide hens with larger and more comfortable cages, which include nesting and scratching areas that allow more natural behaviour.

Spelman: Water reform needed to tackle threat of future droughts
Britain faces a future of water shortages, and lasting environmental damage, with some rivers running dry, unless attitudes to water use change, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman cautioned. On 8th December, launching a new approach to water management, Mrs Spelman said that severe weather events, population growth and the need to grow more food will all put more pressure on our water supplies.

What you may have missed

Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory for 2011
Sheep and Goat Annual Inventory forms for 2011 were sent to English keepers on 28 November. The form needs to be completed to show the sheep/ goat count on 1 December 2011 and then returned in the accompanying pre-paid envelope by 31 December. Keeping an annual inventory in the holding register is a cross compliance requirement. Failure to submit the completed form is an offence and will increase the risk of a farm inspection. If you have not received a form by now you should contact the Defra surveys team on 01904 455284. 

Natural England help for Land Managers
A new Natural England land management contacts webpage has been created to improve clarity for land management customers and enable easier access to the correct phone numbers /mailboxes. 
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