NFU Update

What’s on, information and news from the NFU – April 2015

Dear NFU Member,

Before we break for Easter I wanted to send to you a quick update on what is currently planned in Lincolnshire. The main emphasis at the moment is to make sense of the new BPS application process and to that end we have rearranged our planned presentation to take place on 9th April at the Bentley Hotel (see below) There is also the small matter of the General election and branches have been busy meeting with Prospective Parliamentary Candidates.(PPCs) In future we plan to send to you a regular NFU Lincolnshire update to keep members informed of events and activities at both county and local branch level.

Due to the nature of farming topics there will be new events added to this list and I shall keep you posted as and when these events are confirmed. If there is something important that we are not covering or you have ideas for a future event then please do not hesitate to let me know as I would be very grateful for your input. My contact details are Andrew Wilson – Lincolnshire County Adviser, 01522 303171, 07771 626081 or email [email protected]. For those of you with a twitter account, please follow me on @NFUlincs.

DIARY DATES AT COUNTY AND LOCAL BRANCH LEVEL April 9 April BPS 2015 on paper - Bentley Hotel, Hykeham, Lincoln LN6 9NH, 10am - tea/coffee from 9.30am 14 April Breakfast meeting with Minette Batters, Brackenborough Arms, Louth, 8.30am 15 April Lincolnshire County Group meeting, Petwood Hotel, , 7.30pm. Guest speaker Kelly Hewson-Fisher Anglian Water – (metaldehydes) 27 April Lincolnshire Horticulture & Agriculture Forum, May 6 May Sugar Meeting, Campus, Lincoln, 7.30pm 13 May Horncastle and Branch visit to Chatsworth Farm & House 15 May Branch Lunch, Glandford Park, 17 May Woodhall Spa Show, Horncastle and Coningsby Branch Stand June 7 June Open Farm Sunday 17 June Lincolnshire County Group Meeting, Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa, 7.30pm Guest speaker: tbc 24 June Lincolnshire Show, NFU President Meurig Raymond speaking at the morning drinks reception 25 June Lincolnshire Show July 2 July Horncastle and Coningsby Branch Farm walk, Stourton Estates

NEWS

Secretary Of State, The Rt. Hon. Elizabeth Truss MP announces BPS changes in Lincolnshire The Spilsby, Horncastle and Coningsby, Louth and Alford branches were present at a meeting with Secretary of State, Elizabeth Truss MP for the ‘scoop’ announcing the decision to delay BPS deadlines until 15 June. The Secretary of State chose the meeting in the constituency of Conservative parliamentary candidate, Victoria Adkins, to announce the new deadline and the use of paper forms for BPS claims. Other issues raised

The voice of British farming

NFU East Midlands, Agriculture House, North Gate, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9NX Tel: 01572 824 250 Fax: 01572 824 251 Email: [email protected]

NFU Lincolnshire Update

What’s on, information and news from the NFU – April 2015 at the meeting included closer working partnerships between the Environment Agency and IDBs, improved infrastructure in the county including roads, broadband and mobile telecommunications. The proposed off shore wind farm development at Triton Knoll was also discussed with members and group secretaries ensuring Defra understood their concerns.

NFU County Group Meeting. County Chairman, Minty Willoughby, is pleased to announced the attendance of Kelly Hewson-Fisher from Anglian Water at the County Group meeting on 15 April. The topics for discussion will be metaldehyde levels in water courses and what can be done to reduce this risk. The meeting is open to all members, please contact Jenni Ingram on 01572 824250 or [email protected] to book your place.

East Midlands Sugar Forum – 6 May 2015 With the end of sugar quotas quickly approaching we are holding a meeting at the Lecture Theatre, Risholme, Lincoln. The aim of this meeting is discuss future IPA agreements together with European and Global sugar Industry data to see what the future holds for the British Industry. Speakers at the meeting will be, NFU National Sugar Board Chairman, William Martin, Agriculture Director of British Sugar, Colm Mckay and NFU Chief Sugar Adviser, Pamela Forbes. The meeting is open to all members, please contact Jenni Ingram on 01572 824250 or [email protected] to book your place.

Lincolnshire County Member of the Year At the Lincolnshire show this year NFU President, Meurig Raymond, will present an award to the Lincolnshire NFU member of the year. This is a new award which acknowledges the outstanding commitment that a member has given to the NFU during their time as a member. The award will be decided by the County Chairman based on nominations put forward by local branches.

A happy Easter to you all !

Andrew Wilson Lincolnshire NFU County Adviser 07771 626081

The voice of British farming

NFU East Midlands, Agriculture House, North Gate, Uppingham, Rutland LE15 9NX Tel: 01572 824 250 Fax: 01572 824 251 Email: [email protected]