Helping Manx farmers evolve and grow March 2009 Agri-News Published by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Update on progress at the new Index Department Headquarters Minister’s comments 2 Countryside Care Scheme 3 The project is very much on schedule as The erection of steelwork also commenced Milk sector research 4 are the associated enabling works and at the beginning of March and the building since this photograph was taken even is now taking shape. Local meat consumption more progress has been made. The increased 4 The Department has also set up a small substructure works, which includes piling, Relocation Project Team with representatives pile caps, bases and substructure masonry Meat plant surges forward 4 from each of its Divisions to plan for the and over site concrete (beneath the move to St Johns. On their agenda will not Taste Isle of Man Scheme 2009 5 building) are complete and the lift shaft only be issues such as office layouts and construction is well underway. Countryside Care Scheme the like but also site and Workshop 5 building maintenance and providing the public with high How the industry sees standards of reception and the future… 6 and 7 information facilities. A Lifetime of Trees 8 There is much to do but there is confidence that the building Live to Dead workshop 8 will be completed by April Bee Diseases and 2010 with the Department Pest Control 8 operating from it shortly thereafter. The Development of ‘Ellerslie’ Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed, Manx, Rapeseed Oil 9 Countryside Care Scheme Launched Short Rotation Coppice Trial 9 By Ed Clague, Agricultural Policy Manager A Brief Overview of plant health 10 More than 350 people, representing 248 this year but otherwise, the application agricultural businesses attended the form is very similar to the census forms New Animal Waste Plant 10 Countryside Care Scheme implementation issued over the last few years. Liver Fluke monitoring 11 workshops during March. If you have any concerns regarding how Mud on the roads! 11 The aim of the presentations was to to complete the application form, which inform farmers how the Scheme applies to will be sent out in late March, there is an Market trends 12 their business, what they must do to be opportunity to attend a number of eligible under the Scheme and hopeful surgeries during April, where field officers debunk some of the myths associated will be on hand to assist you. with the Scheme which have arisen over A copy of the presentation given at the How the industry sees the its development. launch can be obtained by calling 685838 future - See pages 6 and 7 All those who attended were also given a or downloaded from Farmer’s Handbook which provides www.gov.im/daff/countryside_care/ comprehensive guidance on the operation news.xml of the Scheme. Handbooks will be delivered shortly to Farmers were reminded that the Scheme those farmers who were unable to attend is voluntary and therefore they do need to a meeting. Additional copies of the apply in order to receive a payment from handbook can be downloaded from it. It is important that farmers accurately www.gov.im/daff/countryside_care/ record the eligible area of their holding handbook.xml 2 “As the days lengthen, and farmers’ minds turn to spring work and the promise of new beginnings, the Department is looking forward to the start of a new financial year and the introduction of the Countryside Care Scheme.” Phil Gawne, MHK Overlooking Glen Roy Minister’s comments It is pleasing to hear that there have been Food & Rural Affairs. I was pleased to see The report by SAC into the Milling Wheat such good attendances at the Countryside food security being discussed at such a Sector has highlighted the challenges this Care Scheme Implementation Workshops. high level as, for many years, this has not sector faces. There is a future for this Having discussed the Scheme for three been high on the list of European sector, but, as in every other sector, there years, with several options and all possible agriculture policy priorities. is no silver bullet which will address connotations considered, I think many everyone’s concerns and changes will However, a clear distinction was made people will have grown weary of the be required at all stages of the cereals between food security and food self- Scheme or imagined that it would become food chain. sufficiency and it was clear that none of an administrative monster. However, I Europe’s policy makers would seek to As one report is delivered another one hope that those who attended the favour self sufficiency at the expense of starts. Promar have been tasked with workshops now feel that any concerns trade. Climate Change continues to be a looking at the Dairy Sector. This report they had about the scheme have now key priority for European policy makers, comes at a very opportune time given the been addressed and that the approved and even in relation to agriculture, their current pressures faced by this sector. Scheme is both workable and in the long priority is to look at how agriculture can term interests of the industry. As the days lengthen, and farmers’ minds alleviate and mitigate its impact on climate turn to spring work and the promise of It is important that you pay particular change. There is clearly a lot we can all do new beginnings, the Department is looking attention to the application form this year both in reducing our impact on the forward to the start of a new financial year so if you have any queries, please make environment and reducing our reliance on and the introduction of the Countryside your way to one of the drop in surgeries imported energy, and the Department will Care Scheme. Work on the other six which we have arranged for you – the be working closely with the industry to points of the seven point plan outlined in dates and locations of which are listed improve our policies in this area. the Vision for Manx Agriculture is gathering elsewhere in this newsletter. It is good to see IOM Meats seeking new pace so I am hopeful that 2009 will see Howard Quayle and Belinda Leach from opportunities to get better value for Manx increasing opportunities for Manx farmers the Manx NFU travelled with me to a meat. The visit by Freedom Foods and the to grow and prosper. conference in London in early March which potential to market Manx meat with a high Hon Phil Gawne MHK was addressed by Hilary Benn, the UK’s welfare status is exciting and I wish IOM Shirveishagh Secretary of State for the Environment, Meat success with the project. Agri-News March 2009 3 Countryside Care Scheme Kim Etherton, Countryside Care Scheme Project Officer The start of the Scheme is now only days Applying for your Countryside Care census purposes even if you are not away and hopefully many of you will have Scheme payment claiming a payment from the Countryside attended the recent workshops to find out Care Scheme or your Historic Entitlement Watch out for your envelope marked exactly what you need to do next. Farmers falls below the £250 minimum payment. “COUNTRYSIDE CARE SCHEME – Handbooks have been given or delivered to The census is part of the Countryside Care IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS” as it will contain most of the Island’s farmers but if you Scheme application form. the application form which you must have not received yours, please telephone complete if you wish to claim a payment Declaring your eligible land 687343 and we will get one to you. from the Scheme. It will be sent out during This is a new requirement and is covered DAFF is also running a number of the week commencing 23rd March. in chapter 4 of your Handbook – the “surgeries” where you can call in and To receive full payment, you must return orange pages. It details what can be speak to a Field Officer about any aspect the fully completed forms to DAFF by included in the eligible acres and also of the Scheme, including the completion 11th May. Forms received on 12th May what must be excluded because it is not of your Countryside Care Scheme to 10th August will be treated as late eligible for a payment from the Scheme. application form. They will be held applications and penalties will be applied, Your Historic Entitlement will remain the between 11am and 4pm as follows: reducing your overall payment and same if you find that you have less Tuesday 31st March potentially deferring your payment until eligible acres than you declared on your Andreas Parish Hall, Smeale Road October or April. No payment will be 2008 census form. All that happens is made on any application received on and that the individual value of your Thursday 2nd April after 11th August. entitlements will be re-calculated by Baldrine Methodist Hall dividing your Historic Entitlement by your The information you provide must be Friday 3rd April 2009 eligible acres. The Guidance Note correct for your situation on 4th May – if Halley MacLaig, Ballabeg (Meeting Room sent with your Scheme application form you have to give a “best guess”, you opposite Ballabeg Shop site) will include information on how to assess should update your information by areas of eligible and ineligible land but Wednesday 15th April completing an Error Correction form, Field Officers will be able to help with Lezayre Community Hall, obtainable from DAFF or from more complex cases. Clenagh Road, Sulby www.gov.im/daff/countryside_care It is your responsibility to ensure that all Retaining areas of habitat Friday 17th April the information which you supply is Malew Parish Hall, Mill Road, Ballasalla You will lose all or some of your payment accurate and penalties may be applied if if you destroy habitat (including scrub, All Agricultural Division staff will be on errors are found.