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Warwickshire Rural Hub
Legislation & Regulation
Professional users of plant protection products must register by 22 June
Defra and the HSE have published new requirements for users of professional plant protection products such as insecticides, herbicides and plant growth regulators. Businesses and other professionals subject to the 2020 Regulations are required to notify Defra of their organisation name, activities and location of premises by 22 June 2022. The Health and Safety Executive may conduct an inspection visit without notice. Businesses will be selected for a visit according to their risk profile. Visit this page for further information.
Government aims to crack down on fly-tipping with new rules and funding
Households will no longer have to pay to get rid of DIY waste under plans set out by government to change the rules that currently allows some Local Authorities to charge for DIY waste from households. Under the proposals, household DIYers would not be charged to get rid of waste including plasterboards, bricks and bath units. This is part of a fresh move to crack down on fly-tipping, which has increased since the beginning of the pandemic. However, around a third of Local Authorities still charge for certain types of DIY waste, using rules designed for construction waste. In addition, new council grants totalling £450,000 will help fund a range of projects such as CCTV, Automatic Number Plate Recognition and education initiatives.
Fly-tipping is a crime which blights communities, poses a risk to public health and the environment, and costs up to £392 million a year. Local authorities dealt with 1.13 million fly-tipping incidents in 2020/21, up by 16% from 2019/20.
Guidance on how Environment Agency should apply the Farming Rules for Water for organic manure
The farming rules for water were introduced to reduce and prevent diffuse water pollution from agricultural sources. It covers applying and storing fertilisers and the management of soil and livestock. The Environment Agency enforces the farming rules for water in accordance with its published enforcement and sanctions policy and guidance. Defra has published guidance on how the EA should apply the Farming Rules for Water for organic manure spreading in autumn and winter. Visit this page for full information.
Update on new Red Diesel regulations as from 1 April
HMRC has published revised guidance explaining the changes to the permitted use of red diesel on 1 April 2022. In brief, use in agriculture will not change and it has been clarified that red diesel will still be allowed for vehicles involved in setting up and taking part in ploughing matches, agricultural shows and activities to raise charitable funds or to further educational aims and to support local communities. Read the full guidance on this page.
Defra announce changes to urea fertiliser use will be delayed by one year
Defra has just announced a number of steps that they are taking to support farmers ahead of the growing season. Firstly, the planned changes to the use of urea fertiliser will be delayed by at least a year, helping farmers manage costs and giving them more time to adapt to pressures on the supply of ammonium nitrate fertilisers. Read more here.
Defra is also encouraging farmers to make use of organic fertilisers – revised and improved statutory guidance has been published on how to manage the use of slurry and other farmyard manure during autumn and winter. This guidance will provide more clarity and has been developed in partnership with farmers and farming bodies. Further information is on this page.
Farmers will be further supported by new slurry storage grants introduced this year, helping the industry meet requirements for the Farming Rules for Water and reducing dependence on artificial fertilisers, by storing organic nutrients until needed or for onward processing.
Eggs can no longer be labelled as free range from 21 March
As the avian influenza risk level in poultry remains high where biosecurity is less stringent and medium where stringent biosecurity is in place, the mandatory housing measures set by Defra were not lifted on 21 March. Therefore, as from this date, the 16-week grace period that was in place for the marketing of free-range eggs will end. This means that eggs from hens temporarily housed in barns for their welfare can no longer be marketed as free range. Egg stamping with the number “2” indicating “from barn systems” must take place. Free-range egg packs can continue to be used, but the words “barn eggs” must be shown on pack, either via direct print or sticker.
For further information on how to spot avian influenza and measure to prevent the disease please visit this page.
Eight changes to the Highway Code from 29 January 2022
Rules for all types of road users have been updated in The Highway Code to improve the safety of people walking, cycling and riding horses. These include the hierarchy of road users; walking, cycling or riding a horse in shared spaces; overtaking a bike or horse and how to leave your vehicle. Read all of the changes on this page.
Quick link to key dates for BPS, CS and ES
Defra has published a key dates document that shows you important dates in 2022 for Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), Countryside Stewardship (CS) and Environmental Stewardship (ES), so you can start to plan ahead for your applications and claims. Visit this page to read the dates and access the document.
Updated information on riparian rights
Updated information on your responsibilities and rules to follow for watercourses on or near your property, and permissions you need to do work around them, have been placed on the Gov.uk website. Visit the link below to view the information.
Reminder on water abstraction licences
If your current water abstraction licence is due to expire, and you want to continue to abstract, you need to apply for a new licence at least 3 months before the existing licence expires.
For more information on applying for a water abstraction licence, please visit the website below.
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Tony Beysens
Meehal Grint, Kings Seeds
Tom Newbery, Highfield Farm
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