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13th October 2023
BETTESHANGER: PLANS RESUBMITTED FOR A HOTEL AND SPA TO BE BUILT IN A KENT COUNTRY PARK
A developer has resubmitted plans for a hotel and spa to be built in a Kent country park.
WILLOWS FROM KENT BECOME BATS FOR TOP CRICKETERS
An estate has planted 200 willows in Kent, as another 220 trees head off to be made into cricket bats – potentially for some of the world’s top players.
The trees have been planted at Hadlow Easte near Tonbridge.
FARMER PROTESTS
Farmers will protest at more than 30 retailer sites across the country as part of a new coordinated action against low prices and unfair treatment
Proud to Farm, a newly formed protest group, has confirmed it will undertake the action at over 30 retailer distribution sites on Friday (13 October) at 7pm.
Less than half of farmers have a succesion plan, survey says
Less than half of farmers have a succession plan and the percentage hasn’t moved in three years, according to new research.
NFU Mutual’s annual survey found that just under half of farmers (48%) have a succession plan in place in 2023.
Red Tractor sets out next steps with new voluntary environment module
Red Tractor has unveiled a timetable to make its Greener Farms Commitment (GFC) available from April 2024.
The assurance body’s new module offers farmers a single route to demonstrate the steps they are taking on the environment.
England’s sheep flock falls to lowest population in over 10 years
England’s sheep flock has declined to its lowest recorded population in over 10 years against the backdrop of numerous challenges, new Defra figures show.
The annual livestock survey shows the English sheep flock declined by 3.2% year-on-year, totalling 14.5 million head in June 2023.
This is the lowest recorded population since 2011, with female breeding flock seeing a reduction of 116,000 head (-1.6%).
FSA shares update on tackling food crime from the Food Fraud Working Group
The FSA, working with food industry partners, has published a stakeholder message which sets out proposals from the Food Fraud Working Group including a number to report food crime to.
Schools and NHS caterers ‘must stop’ antibiotic overuse
Hospital and school caterers are not doing enough to stop farmers from overusing antibiotics in their animals, according to campaign groups.
Such overuse raises the risk of antibiotic resistance rendering key human medicines ineffective.
Starmer’s approach must focus on brownfield first, we say
CPRE welcomes Keir Starmer’s pledge to ‘build a new Britain’ by prioritising brownfield sites for development.
This brownfield-first approach has the potential to provide genuinely affordable housing for millions of people without damaging the countryside around towns and cities which is crucial for the wellbeing of millions of people and sacrificing rural communities.
National Fruit Show entry deadline extended
Entry for apples, pears, soft fruit, cobnuts and walnuts extended and details for cider producers to send in samples for judging.
Read more.
Climate change could make beer taste worse
Global warming is changing the quality and taste of beer, scientists have warned.
A new study reveals that the quantity of European hops, which gives beer its distinctive bitter taste, is declining.
Sunak’s U-turns make net zero harder and keep bills high, watchdog warns
Rishi Sunak’s reversals on key climate policies have damaged the UK’s ability to meet its carbon-cutting goals and will keep energy bills high for millions of households, with the effect of “making net zero considerably harder to achieve”, the UK’s climate watchdog has warned.
“Deafening silence” from retailers as farmer petition hits milestone
A survey calling on retailers to provide a fairer deal to the UK’s struggling farmers has reached over 50,000 signatures, but supermarkets are yet to respond.
The petition, addressed to the CEOs of the nation’s ‘big six’ supermarkets, has also been signed by over 100 leading figures and industry bodies.
Read more.
World Egg Day: Poultry farmers gear up to celebrate the humble egg
The annual initiative, which takes place this year on Friday 13 October, is seen as a chance for farmers to raise the profile of their sector.
Protocol for the Collection of Honey Reference Samples
The Government Chemist has led work to develop a sampling protocol, the first of its kind in the world, for the collection of reference samples used to establish/develop honey authenticity databases.
Labour’s rural vision
With opinion polls continuing to suggest a strong likelihood of the Labour Party forming the next government, few political questions could be more important to the countryside than how it intends to govern rural Britain.
The Countryside Alliance Foundation’s fringe event held at the Labour Party Conference (Sunday 8 October 2023) saw another outstanding panel of speakers address that issue with a well-attended assembly of activists and parliamentary candidates.
Kent Wildlife Trust wins Biodiversity Protection Award
Kent Wildlife Trust has won the Biodiversity Protection Award at the National Sustainability Awards for the Wilder Blean initiative.
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