Archive for 'Press releases'
RPA appeals panels will continue
The Rural Payments Agency’s (RPA) Independent Agricultural Appeals Panels will continue to operate, Farming Minister Jim Paice announced today, after a review found they were a valued service for the farming industry. The body makes recommendations to Ministers on appeals against the RPA’s decisions on Common Agricultural Policy payment claims. As part of the wider [...]
Management of fishing quotas to be devolved
All four nations within the UK will be given greater power to manage their own fishing quotas following an agreement that has just been reached, Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon announced today. Under the agreement, the UK, Scottish and Welsh Government, and the Northern Ireland Executive will each be allocated shares, agreed annually, of UK fish [...]
Chinese take away British pork
British pork will soon be on menus in China following a £50 million deal reached by Agriculture Minister Jim Paice.
UK Minister breaks down food export barriers to China
From food and drink, to skills and technolgies, British businesses trying to break in to China are getting Government backing as Food and Farming Minister Jim Paice heads out to the country on a mission to open up trade.
Somerset and Devon showcasing new opportunitines in rural business
Rural businesses in the South West are providing an excellent example to the rest of the country by showing how it’s possible to innovate and grow, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said today ahead of a visit to the region. Mrs Spelman’s visit is part of a series of Rural Roadshows taking place all around the [...]
New plans to simplify recording rights of way
New proposals to modernise the process of recording rights of way, developed in consultation with groups such as the Ramblers and Country Land and Business Association, have been unveiled by Environment Minister Richard Benyon today. Plans are expected to cut the time taken to record a right of way by as much as several years, so that [...]
Nineteen areas move out of drought
Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman has today welcomed the Environment Agency’s decision to move 19 counties out of official drought status.
Minister calls for radical changes to Common Fisheries Policy
Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon will call for countries in Europe to be given more say in the way their fisheries are managed, when he attends the EU Fisheries Council in Luxembourg later today. This new regionalised decision making process would give member states more freedom to cooperate on the detail of fisheries management in a [...]
New Chief Scientist appointed
Professor Ian Boyd has been appointed as Defra's new Chief Scientific Adviser