What is a veteran?The CLA and the Armed Forces Covenant – our three pledgesThe unique skills sets of veteransRural employers working with the veterans communityThe Veteran Rural Skills PartnershipHow CLA members can help Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Developing local food networks and strengthening support for locally sourced food has a multitude of benefits. Buying locally sourced food reduces food miles meaning less fuel is used in transportation, reducing its carbon footprint, it supports nearby businesses, creates local employment, keeps money circulating within the local economy and much more. Judicaelle Hammond, CLA Director of Policy and Advice, talks us through what a local food chain is, whether consumers understand it in the same way, and what is needed to make the Government Food Strategy’s consultation on a plan for 50% of food expenditure in the public sector to go on food produced locally or to higher environmental standards work. Vicki Hird, Head of Sustainable Farming at Sustain, explains the key actions needed to increase interest in local food, how local food chains can be sustained alongside retailers, and how they can remain financially viable. Karl Avison, founder of Cedar barn Farm Shop and Café, shares with us the measures he has taken in his own business to inform consumers about the benefits of buying local, and the role of local food supply chains in the rural economy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We delve into what the new biodiversity net gain regulations mean for land managers and rural businesses wanting to submit planning applications. The introduction of mandatory biodiversity net gain in the planning system by the Environment Act 2021 is expected in 2023, following consultation, publication, and implementation of regulations. The new policy will require, as a condition of planning permission, that any new development demonstrate a net gain of a minimum 10% of the biodiversity value on the site, measured using Defra's Biodiversity Metric. What will you hear?Fenella Collins, CLA Head of Planning, covers what biodiversity net gain is, why it's so important, and how it can be achieved as well as how biodiversity net gain interfaces with the planning system and national planning policy. You will also hear about the legal mechanisms for delivering biodiversity net gain, the role of the Local Nature Recovery Strategies, and the Biodiversity Metric. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This podcast covers the ins and outs of what farming sustainability means and how it can be measured. Defra recently launched their Sustainable Farming Incentive, and the Welsh Government are in the process of developing their Sustainable Farming Scheme. In many respects, sustainable farming has come to equate with reduced impact on the environment, whether that is climate, air, water or soils. Consumers and the supply chains are placing greater demands on farming businesses to be more environmentally responsible and there is the ever-present threat of increased regulation if incentivises don’t work. What will you hear?Susan Twining, CLA Chief Land Use Policy Adviser, explains how sustainable farming fits within policy thinking, how to measure sustainability, and the role of the Government to build confidence in setting clear guidance on how to measure and assess what these sustainability metrics are. John Renner, Farmer at Bellshill Farm, talks us through what sustainable farming means, the practices implemented on his farm, and how he deals with environmental conflicts. Hugh Martineau, Head of Sustainability at Map of Ag, discusses how you can improve profits through sustainable farming, where you can get advice and support on data gathering, how to make sense of the data and how to use it to improve your business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We discuss the impact of the drought this year and the importance of water management going into 2023. Last summer was the joint warmest for England and was notable for the extreme heat of 18-19 July where temperatures reached excess of 40C for the first time, breaking the previous all-time temperature record. With pressures on water resources from climate change and a growing population, matching water supply and demand is increasingly challenging and represents a real risk to society and the environment. What will you hear?Alice Green, Policy Adviser on Climate and Water, explains the impacts we have seen from the dry summer, the wider pressures on water resources, and what the Government can do to support the sector. Steve Moncaster, BAWAG Membership and Technical Advisor, discusses the outlook for farm businesses to 2023 if dry weather continues over this winter, how abstraction licencing will reform influence the situation, and how we could have better planned for the drought. We are also joined by Anthony Seaman, arable farmer in North Norfolk, who shares with us how the drought has affected his farm, the steps he is taking on his farm in response to the drought, and how farmers can build water resilience against hot weather. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode explores the potential and opportunities of making agroforestry central to land management plans. Net zero targets and the need to mitigate climate change is driving strong interest from the Government in tree planting because of their ability to sequester carbon. We hear a lot about woodland creation targets, but agroforestry can play a role too. Graham Clark, CLA Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, gives an introduction into agroforestry, and explains the Government policy and incentives in place for landowners, and how to know whether taking up agroforestry is right for you. John Pawsey, a landowner and organic farmer at Shimpling Park Farms, shares with us the agroforestry system on his farm, the benefits and practical considerations, and the key things to consider for anyone looking into agroforestry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Farming and other agricultural related professions are known to face particular mental health challenges, with higher than average rates of depression and suicide. According to the Farm Safety Foundation, 81% of farmers under 40 believe that mental health is the biggest hidden problem facing farmers today and 92% believe that promoting good mental health is crucial if lives are to be saved and farmers kept safe. This episode explores the mental health challenges that are faced within the agricultural industry across different groups and what support can be provided to combat them. What will you hear?Hazel Craig, Senior Data Analytics and Wellbeing Consultant at CLA Healthcare, discusses the current circumstances of mental health within the rural industry, the pressures that contribute towards poor mental health and why those in rural areas are more susceptible.Leo Savage, Global Wellbeing Consultant at CLA Healthcare, shares with us how widespread poor mental health in the farming community is, how you can support your colleagues and employees, and the resources that are available through CLA Healthcare and other organisations and charities. If you, or someone you know, is worried about your mental health please contact Samaritans. To contact CLA Healthcare for any further information please call 01274 717361 or email healthcare@cla.org.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What are the key things to consider when looking to obtain planning permission through land promotion? With development land being a highly prized commodity these days, landowners with surplus land looking to sell can take advantage of the commercial opportunities offered by housing development. If you are a landowner interested in maximising value of your land through securing planning permission, you may have thought about land promotion. What will you hear?Avril Roberts, CLA Property and Business Policy Adviser, discusses the benefits of land promotion, how it compares to other methods of delivery, the process to go through to successfully engage with the community, and the options available to retain and manage some of the homes. Ed Barrett, Associate Director of Planning at Catesby Estates, explains how to proceed if your planning permission request has been unsuccessful, the measures to take if there is a public right of way or village green on your land, and when you get the uplift in value. You can find all of our episodes wherever you get your podcasts or simply click the button below to listen now. If you have any questions and would like to speak to expert CLA advisers please email advice@cla.org.uk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Many rural businesses involve using large machinery for long hours and it is important that we can keep everybody safe. Health and safety law in the UK is criminal law and businesses have a statutory duty to conduct a thorough assessment of risks and implement policy and procedures to mitigate risks. Libby Bateman, CLA North Rural Adviser, discusses how to mitigate against weather related risks, how to make sure that staff and customers feel safe in the workplace and the duty that they have towards each other, and provides advice to members on what health and safety measures to consider when hosting an open day on their farm. Oliver Dale, Managing Director at Safety Revolution, explains why it is so important to prioritize health and safety, the legal requirements for employers to conduct a thorough assessment of risks, and the technical solutions available to make the workplace safer. Find out more about the CLA and membership here: https://www.cla.org.uk/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
To kick-off season 4 we share with you an episode on the current energy crisis. Energy prices are currently the highest the UK has ever seen with forward curve prices showing increases until 2025. Charles Trotman, CLA Senior Economics and Rural Business Adviser, explains his forecast for the next 12 months, the potential knock-on effects, the rise of fertiliser prices and whether the Government is doing enough to support rural businesses, and thoughts on green hydrogen as fuel for the future. Peter McLeod, Director of Sales and Marketing at CLA Energy Services, explains the factors that have caused the cost of living crisis, what CLA Energy Services have been doing to help members during the energy crisis, and what to consider when looking at on-site generation. If you would like to find out how CLA Energy Services can help you, you can email them directly at energyservices@cla.org.uk or call 0808 164 6151. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode covers the issue of nutrient neutrality, which affects protected nature conservation sites that are at risk of pollution by nitrates or phosphates. Where Natural England or Natural Resources Wales identify a protected waterbody as being at risk from nutrient pollution, they will require any development which creates overnight accommodation in the same catchment to demonstrate nutrient neutrality, either by installing on-site mitigation measures or by off-setting through nutrient credits. What will you hear?Fenella Collins, CLA Head of Planning, explains the types of developments that are affected by nutrient neutrality regulations, why this issue has now come to the fore, and practical steps to take when considering a development in an affected catchment. Kate Russell, Chief Operating Officer at Tellus Natural Capital, talks us through the areas with most protected catchments, the difference between managing nitrates and phosphates, and the opportunity for landowners to consider off-site mitigation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we bring you an International Women's Day podcast special. As agriculture is often perceived as a male-dominated industry, it’s important we recognise the leading role women are playing. Farming, like any industry, needs to continue to attract new talent and ideas and employ skills of both women and men. What will you hear?Lucinda Douglas, CLA North Director, shares the main challenges facing women in agriculture, how we can continue to overcome these barriers, and the initiatives to support women in the rural economy, including the CLA Women's Network. Sue Harrison, Former CLA Assistant Regional North West Director, tells us how women's representation in agriculture has evolved over the past decades, the opportunities for women in senior positions within agricultural industries, and the role that schools have to encourage and understand the career paths in agriculture. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This episode focuses on the key factors to consider when determining if woodland creation is the right move for you. The UK Government is very keen to see much more woodland planted across the country as one of the ways to tackle the climate change issue. But creating woodland is essentially an irreversible decision, so landowners need to think carefully about if and where they do it. What will you hear?Graham Clark, CLA Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, will explain the benefits of planting trees on your land, the types of grants available and how to apply for them, and the regulatory approval needed to get started. Graham will also talk us through the ongoing management that is required, and what factors to consider when deciding which trees to plant and where to plant them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We explore how different business structures are treated for tax purposes and key issues for you to think about. Do you currently run a rural business? Are you planning to diversify or start up a new venture? Having the right business structure is crucial and, as each farming business operation is different, you may need to review how your business operates to ensure you have the right structure which is appropriate for your situation. Rural businesses are unusual in that they are more diversified, and it is important to check if your business structure remains the right one to use if you diversify into a new business activity. What will you hear?CLA Chief Taxation Adviser Louise Speke talks us through the different types of business structures, how different structures will be treated for tax, the benefits of running a farm or land-based business in a partnership, and how you have structured your business will influence inheritance tax on your estate. You will also hear from CLA Senior Taxation Adviser Jimmy Tse who explains the core differences between a partnership business and company in how the profits are taxed, the main tax issues relating to selling assets or getting assets or cash out of a company, and what to think about when planning to retire from your business from a tax perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
We are pleased to share with you a podcast episode on the approach to levelling up and the challenges that lie ahead. Levelling up is the flagship policy of Boris Johnson’s Conservative government, with the idea to bring people and communities previously considered left behind to an equal standing with more prosperous areas such as the southeast by 2030. Though much of the government’s focus has been around bridging the north-south divide, the CLA points to the widening gap between urban and rural areas as a key area to level up. Rural areas are 18% less productive than urban areas and closing that gap could add £43bn to the national economy. What will you hear?Rosie Nagle, CLA Public Affairs Manager, explains what levelling up means for rural areas, the political challenge of levelling up the entire UK, and the CLA's response to the Government's Levelling Up white paper. Rosie also shares with us the CLA's priorities in making the levelling up agenda work for rural communities. Simply click here to access the CLA document, Levelling Up, which proposes a series of policy measures the UK Government should undertake to unleash the potential of the rural economy. If you have any questions regarding this podcast you can email us at events@cla.org.uk You can also find us on: Twitter: @clatweetsFacebook:@countrylandandbusinessLinkedIn: @TheCLAInstagram: @countrylandandbusiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we are pleased to bring you a podcast episode on how farming is represented in the media and its consequences. With the UK’s growing interest in sustainability and the exit from Common Agricultural Policy there has been an increase of representation of farming in mainstream media. While young farmers are using social media’s power to facilitate discussion and share what it is like to work in agriculture. Are these conversations bridging the gap between rural and urban communities? What will you hear?Jonathan Roberts, CLA Director of External Affairs, discusses the opportunities that an increase in public interest in farming and land use provides the farming community with, the impacts of high-profile public figures, such as Ed Sheeran, working towards environmental goals, and the importance of farmers engaging within their local communities. We are also joined by Chief Reporter at the Farmers Guardian Abi Kay who shares with us the importance of combining entertainment and education on farming, such as Clarkson's farm, to drive positive engagement with a broader audience, and the impact of social media within the farming industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this podcast we are pleased to bring you an episode on the opportunities of farm diversification. While diversification can have risks, it covers a wide range of potential new income streams and many businesses have found successful and profitable ways of expanding and developing their business. What will you hear?Fraser McAuley, CLA Senior Policy Adviser, explains how climate change will impact diversification opportunities, how the CLA can help with your diversification project, and the important considerations when embarking on a new business venture. We are also joined by CLA member Rhys Jones, who shares with us how he was able to combine his family farm with his passion for health and fitness to create a gym based on the farm called "Cattlestrength". He tells us about the barriers he faced when setting up his fitness business and his plans for the future. You can find all of our podcasts wherever you get your podcasts or simply click here. Twitter: @clatweetsLinkedIn: @The CLAWeb: www.CLA.org.ukFacebook: @The CLAInstagram: @countrylandandbusiness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this episode we discuss the agricultural transition, the new schemes and what they mean for the farming and land management sector. Since the vote to leave the European Union, we have spent several years talking about the replacement of the Common Agricultural Policy with new schemes designed in the UK. In England the agricultural transition has now begun with farmers seeing the first cuts to their direct payments last month whilst awaiting the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive later in 2022. What will you hear?Harry Greenfield, CLA Senior Land Use Policy Adviser, gives details about the Sustainable Farming Incentive, including what is on offer this year and how it will develop over the next few years. Harry also shares with us the improvements made to the Countryside Stewardship and the opportunities it provides. Cameron Hughes, CLA Land Use Policy Adviser, talks us through the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway for livestock farmers, the range of productivity and support schemes available, and how you can prepare your farm for the transition. We have recorded a webinar to give you a better understanding of the Agricultural Transition, you can view it on demand here. You can find out here (please can you link the word “here” with this link https://www.cla.org.uk/agricultural-transition/) how the CLA has influenced the development of new agricultural legislation and policies in England, as well as access CLA Guidance Notes and articles on the Agricultural Transition in England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With climate change an increasingly urgent priority on the global political agenda, what does this mean for farming? Alice Green, CLA Land Use Policy Adviser, shares with us the opportunities there are for the sector to take action on climate change, how the farming industry should be responding to the Global Methane Pledge and gives advice to farmers who are starting to think about net zero. You will also hear from Jon Foot, Head of Environment & Resource Management at AHDB, who will discuss how to cut through the complexity around carbon and develop an action plan, the potential to build soil carbon through farm management, and what AHDB are doing to help farmers to transition to net zero. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we bring you a podcast on rural crime that will provide insights on the issue of fly tipping, which has soared to a record-high over the past 12 months. Defra’s fly tipping statistics, released on Wednesday 8 December, make for grim reading, showing a 16% increase across England with over 1.1 million incidents being recorded between April 2020 and March 2021. The reality is much worse as these statistics only cover incidents on public land. Alison Provis, the CLA’s national lead for fly-tipping and Regional Surveyor in the East, shares with us how it is affecting CLA members, what is behind the increase and what the CLA is doing to tackle the issue. We are also joined by Duncan Jones from Hertfordshire Waste Partnership and Chair of the Hertfordshire Fly Tipping Group. Duncan will tell us more about what industry-led action is being taken and what more needs to be done to stop incidents increasing further. Find out more by visiting the CLA website -https://www.cla.org.uk/news/new-figures-show-the-severe-damage-of-fly-tipping-in-england/Follow the link below to read the fly tipping statistics for England 2020-2021 in full –https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/fly-tipping-in-england/fly-tipping-statistics-for-england-2020-to-2021Read the CLA’s 5-point action plan to tackle fly tipping. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.