NFU Cymru members can download the briefing document on COVID-19 and the dairy sector here
This briefing document will be kept up to date with additions and developments as the situation progresses and enable our members to access the most up to date information available to us and find additional, sector-specific support. In addition to the wider NFU Coronavirus Hub being maintained across the organisation, this Q&A document will also guide members through ongoing work being undertaken by the dairy team on behalf of our members and also provide links to additional key documents for further detail and guidance.
NFU Cymru Dairy Board Chair blog
UPDATED: 14th April 2020
NFU Cymru Dairy Board Chair, Abi Reader, is writing a weekly blog, that members can log in and read here.
Application of milk to land
Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has issued a regulatory decision on the application of milk to land at the place of production – on-farm only. This decision will be reviewed in three months. For this regulatory decision to apply a U10 exemption must be registered with NRW. The regulatory decision retains the requirements of U10 but the spreading frequency has been relaxed to once every three weeks. Farms that cannot meet the requirements are advised to contact NRW on 03000 653000.
A copy of the statement is available here along with a breifing here
Message from Dwr Cymru - Welsh Water
Covid-19 virus outbreak and the resulting drop in demand for Milk
During the current Covid-19 outbreak Dwr Cymru - Welsh Water is committed to continuing to protect the environment and as such will continue to monitor the inputs into our sewer system to avoid any environmental impact. There have been reports of dumping of unsold/unused milk to sewers across the country.
We understand the need to dispose of this product and we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that disposal of this to the public sewer system is an illegal (criminal act) under the Water industry act 1991 and should not be occurring without the permission of Dwr Cymru - Welsh Water http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1991/56/section/111 . Dwr Cymru - Welsh Water will have no option but to enforce its regulatory duties with regard to the above which may include prosecution for environmental offences.
Waste Dairy products can have a significant detrimental effect on the receiving network and receiving Sewage works so therefore should be sent to an appropriate disposal facility for treatment prior to discharge.
Please follow the guidelines set out by NFU Cymru.
If you have any queries relating to the disposal of milk or trade effluent please don’t hesitate to contact Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water on : 0800 085 3968 or VHJhZGUuRWZmbHVlbnRAZHdyY3ltcnUuY29t
Food Standards Agency (FSA) Update - 24th April 2020
FSA are reminding livestock keepers:
- Cull dairy cows – with the changes to the dairy sector and reports of agents “advertising” for cull dairy cows ensuring that they:
- are fit to transport (lameness etc.)
- are milked in line with the requirements during transport (we are issuing reminders for the requirements in lairage)
- are “clean” – a reminder of the clean livestock policy may be helpful https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/cleaner-cattle-and-sheep
- TB reactors - a reminder of the clean livestock policy would be particularly helpful (both from farming reps and we can also work with the APHA contract/local teams) given the timelines required once the animals reach the abattoir lairage https://www.food.gov.uk/business-guidance/cleaner-cattle-and-sheep
- Other livestock – a general reminder that, with the changes to the operation of the food chain resulting from Covid-19, we recognise that farmers and transporters may have varying experience of the requirements when consigning animals directly to slaughter (such as the clean livestock requirements) and where they can seek guidance/support – for example through their representative organisations, Gov.UK website AW pages etc.
AHDB tracker
AHDB are now publishing a weekly retail tracker. It will be updated every Friday. You can click here to view the tracker.
Covid-19: EU Agri-food support measures
On 22 April, following pressure from industry and a letter from the 27 EU Agricultural Ministers urging action, the EU Commission proposed a package of exceptional measures to support the agri-food sector following the outbreak of coronavirus.