Tag: Agriculture Policy
-
Housing Order Urged to Shield Poultry Flocks from Avian Flu Risks
Urgent call for a housing order as Avian Influenza threats grow The IFA Poultry Committee has renewed its call for a government housing order to shelter poultry flocks from Avian Influenza (AI) after confirmed cases emerged in County Tyrone and nearby areas in recent days. With the risk of further spread increasing, industry leaders say…
-
British farmers face losses after Brexit, Farmdex report
Introduction: A new reality for British farming A groundbreaking survey by McCain Foods, the inaugural Farmdex report, reveals that a third of British farmers are not turning a profit in the past year. Facing the combined pressures of post-Brexit policy changes, the withdrawal of subsidies, and looming inheritance tax reforms, many farmers are reporting losses…
-
Africa’s Dairy Equation: Boosting Milk, Reducing Imports
Overview: Africa’s milk growth amid rising demand Africa’s dairy sector is at a pivotal crossroads. Between 2013 and 2023, milk production rose about 17%, reflecting a region-wide push to feed growing urban populations and expanding middle classes. Yet this progress sits beside a parallel trend: imports of dairy products reached a record $7.5 billion in…
-
Joe McNamee: The State Must Atone for 1980s Regulations and Save Small Farms
Revisiting a firm stance: atonement for outdated rules In a landscape where farm viability hangs on policy clarity as much as on soil and weather, Joe McNamee has emerged as a leading voice for atonement with legislation and public debate. His argument is simple but urgent: the 1980s framework—crafted in a different era—needs modern reform…
-
Joe McNamee and Cork on a Fork: A Call for State Action to Save Small Farms
Introduction: A Growing Movement for Small Farms In recent years, a rising chorus has urged government action to safeguard small farms against market pressures and lingering regulatory challenges from decades past. Central to this conversation is Joe McNamee, a farmer whose work with premium, locally raised pork has become a beacon for sustainable farming and…
-
What’s Next for South Africa’s FMD Vaccine Supply: Are Outbreaks Straining the System?
Overview: FMD outbreaks and vaccine concerns in South Africa Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continues to threaten South Africa’s livestock sectors, with reports of more than 200 outbreaks across five provinces. For dairy and beef farmers, the biggest immediate worry is not just disease control but the availability of vaccines to curb its spread. When outbreaks surge,…
-
Philippines Lifts Bird Import Ban on New Zealand After Avian Influenza Resolution
DA Lifts Bird Import Ban on New Zealand as Avian Influenza Outbreak Is Resolved The Department of Agriculture (DA) announced on Monday that it has lifted the temporary ban on importing domesticated and wild birds, as well as poultry products, from New Zealand. The move follows the resolution of the avian influenza outbreak that had…
-
Damage has been done: Farming community reacts to rumours of inheritance tax U-turn
Overview: Rumours of an IHT U-turn As the budget approaches, whispers of potential changes to the inheritance tax (IHT) reforms for farms have sent ripples through rural communities. Last year’s plan to impose a 20% IHT on estates over £1 million sparked widespread protests and fears that small farms could be forced to sell to…
-
Spain Reports First Case of Contagious Nodular Dermatitis in Livestock Farm: What This Means
Overview: A New Animal Health Challenge in Spain The agricultural sector in Spain is facing a new animal health concern after authorities confirmed the first case of contagious nodular dermatitis (CND) at a livestock operation. The diagnosis marks a significant development for veterinarians, farmers, and policymakers who monitor animal diseases that can affect productivity and…
-
US Tariffs Quietly Discussed at ASEAN Agriculture Talks
Tariffs on the Agenda, Yet Not on the Formal Agenda In Manila this week, the 47th Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) underscored an important paradox in global trade policy. While US tariff policy loomed large over markets, it did not feature as a formal agenda item in the high-level sessions.…