In recent years Lancashire’s poultry sector for instance, has had to adapt to the threat of avian influenza.
No sooner had the latest requirement for mandatory housing measures been lifted in May, it was time for the livestock sector to hear the news that the restricted zone protecting British animals from the spread of bluetongue was to be extended to the whole of England.
The positive side to this news is that keepers can now move cattle, sheep, all ruminants and camelids within England without a bluetongue licence or testing.
Unfortunately, there is the potential of disruption to trade for those wanting to move animals between England and Wales or Scotland. Please remain vigilant, consider and explore options for vaccination and continue to discuss disease management planning with your vet.
If you need information on the new restrictions, please visit the webpages on 91²Ö¿â or contact NFU CallFirst.
We welcomed NFU President, Tom Bradshaw, to Lancashire in June. In a flying visit he managed to pack in four different meetings in the one day and got to hear direct from local members. We kicked off in the south of the county with a kitchen table meeting for members of the crops board and potato group.
As well as updates on the Family Farm Tax campaign, it was a chance to discuss the future of environmental schemes, and the recent USA-UK trade agreement – there was concern about how tariff-free market access to 1.4 billion litres of US ethanol to the UK marketplace will impact growers here in Lancashire.
We then moved northwards where we were hosted by one of the region’s horticulture businesses. The president got to hear firsthand examples of how supermarket assurance requirements and lack of labour access is crippling growth in the sector.
The same afternoon we visited ‘Park Farm Mookshake Shack’ near Garstang. Here, the younger generation of this dairy farming family is driving forward an impressive diversification which sees their own farm produced milkshakes retailed direct to the public 24 hours a day through a series of onsite vending machines. Big thanks to Lancaster branch office for organising the event. The day concluded with Tom addressing 80 Clitheroe branch members at a Speakers’ Supper event.
We are into the summer show season now and the next event in the calendar is Lancashire’s Great Eccleston Agricultural Show on Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 July at Garstang Road (A586), near Preston, PR3 0YP. If you are visiting the show, be sure to stop by the NFU marquee to have a cup of tea and say hello.
Lancashire County Chair, Becki Fielding, will also be on the stand on Sunday from 1pm onwards to chat to members and discuss farming issues. You will find us right opposite the main ring.
Then we have the Garstang Show which takes place on Saturday 2 August. If you have never been before, I do recommend visiting for the day as it is a lovely local family show.
Finally, the NFU Lancashire Harvest Ball will be taking place on 27 September, marking the end of the year's harvest and raising money for charity.
Please drop by the NFU marquee to say hello and enjoy a brew.
We are right opposite the main ring. It will be great to see you!