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FAS technical advice line: 03000 200 301
All of us at the Farming Advice Service wish you and your family a joyful festive season and a prosperous new year.
Please be aware that the FAS telephone, email & LiveChat helpline will be closed from 17:00 on Monday 23 December 2024 until 08:30 on Thursday 2 January 2025. Any messages received during this time will be picked up in the new year.
We understand that the festive period can be challenging for many. If you find yourself struggling and unsure where to turn, the Farming Help Alliance provides confidential support for financial, personal, or emotional difficulties.
Call 03000 111 999 (helpline open 07:00-23:00, 365 days a year).
- Key dates to be aware of…
- How can we help you?
- Remember to submit your annual sheep and goat inventory
- Succession Planning in Agriculture – starting the conversation
- Trees on farm – Trees Outside Woodland research programme & Tree Health Pilot funding support for ash dieback
- Updates from the Defra Farming blog and industry announcements
- Stay up to date with us
If you keep sheep and/or goats, you must carry out your annual count of the animals on your holding as of 1 December, enter this into your holding register and complete the inventory by 31 December. You should have received a letter in November which tells you what to do. (GOV.UK)
In case you missed them...
You can burn heather, rough grass, bracken, gorse or vaccinium on land other than in upland areas from this date (GOV.UK).
For more details about the information provided in the key dates table, visit the Rules for Farmers and Land Managers and the relevant pages of GOV.UK.
Upcoming grant deadlines
31 December 2024 - The Farming Resilience Fund will close in March 2025. Defra is advising farmers to contact the listed organisations before the end of December 2024. This will ensure they have time to provide you with support before March 2025.
Midday 10 January 2025 - The deadline for claims to be submitted for one or more grant funding agreements (GFAs) as part of the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF) 2024 is midday on 10 January 2025.
Key Dates for Annual Declaration Submission
To assist Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) agreement holders, the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has outlined the opening and closing dates for the annual declaration submission based on the start date of the agreement:
| Agreement start date | Declaration period opens | Declaration period closes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 December 2023 | 1 October 2024 | 30 November 2024 |
| 1 January 2024 | 1 November 2024 | 31 December 2024 |
| 1 February 2024 | 1 December 2024 | 31 January 2025 |
| 1 March 2024 | 1 January 2025 | 28 February 2025 |
| 1 April 2024 | 1 February 2025 | 31 March 2025 |
| 1 May 2024 | 1 March 2025 | 30 April 2025 |
| 1 June 2024 | 1 April 2025 | 31 May 2025 |
| 1 July 2024 | 1 May 2025 | 30 June 2025 |
| 1 August 2024 | 1 June 2025 | 31 July 2025 |
| 1 September 2024 | 1 July 2025 | 31 August 2025 |
| 1 October 2024 | 1 August 2025 | 30 September 2025 |
| 1 November 2024 | 1 September 2025 | 31 October 2025 |
Free and confidential advice
The FAS is funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). We provide free, confidential advice to help farmers and land managers in England understand and meet the legal requirements in English law around certain farming activities to protect people, livestock and the environment. We update the farming sector on relevant government farming policy that is applicable in England and on the actions that can be taken to help farmers comply with the relevant regulations.
Our website hosts our previous newsletters, technical resources and webinars covering various topics in more detail.
Contacting the advice line:
Farmers requiring telephone advice can contact the FAS technical advice line on 03000 200 301, Monday to Friday, between 08:30 and 17:00. The Rural Services Helpline provides a single number for all FAS, Rural Payments Agency (RPA), Animal and Plant Health Agency, Natural England and forestry enquiries.
You can also email enquiries to advice@farmingadviceservice.org.uk. Our helpline team aims to respond to all telephone and email enquiries within one working day.
You can now speak to our helpline team through the new online chat function on the farmingadviceservice.org.uk website.
The advice given to individual farmers is confidential – we do not disclose any personal or individual information or data obtained during advisory activities.
If you keep sheep and/or goats, you must carry out an annual count of the animals on your holding as of 1 December, enter this into your holding register, complete the inventory form and submit it online or by post by 31 December. This article provides more information on how to do this.
Keeping an annual inventory is a requirement of sheep and goat legislation. Following these rules means that animals can be traced at all times to help prevent and contain disease. It is your responsibility to follow the rules to avoid penalties such as movement restrictions on your herd, reduced subsidy payments, fines or prosecution.
You can complete your inventory online or by post.
You can use the online sheep and goats annual inventory to send your records online. Your inventory letter or email, will include the details you need to access the service. To log in you will need your:
- 9-digit county parish holding (CPH) number, as it appears on your letter or email from Defra
- Postcode
The service allows you to save your inventory record as you go.
Send your inventory by post
Fill in the form that Defra sent to you with your letter.
Return it in the pre-paid envelope. It will be addressed to the Office of National Statistics (ONS).
You must send your completed form to the ONS by 31 December.
For guidance on how to complete the forms, please visit GOV.UK. You should have received a letter from Defra by 11 December.
If you did not receive correspondence by 11 December with information on how to complete your inventory, please call the Defra Surveys Team helpline on 03000 600 140 or email surveys@defra.gov.uk.
If you stop keeping sheep and goats
You must tell RPA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) as soon as possible if you stop keeping sheep and goats.
Read how to update your details or contact the Defra rural services helpline.
Defra rural services helpline
Telephone: 03000 200 301
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Succession Planning in Agriculture – starting the conversation
FAS works with a number of farming advisers to produce helpful content and guidance for the farming industry. In this article Dr Alex Ansell (DJM Consulting) provides an overview to succession planning in agriculture.
As the festive season approaches, family gatherings provide an ideal opportunity for farming families to discuss the future of their agricultural enterprises. Succession planning is key to ensuring your farm’s long-term sustainability.
Starting the Conversation
Succession planning can be a sensitive topic, but addressing it proactively is essential for a smooth transition. Family gatherings, like Christmas, provide a relaxed and inclusive environment to begin these discussions. Starting early encourages open dialogue and allows everyone to share their aspirations for the farm.
A common challenge in these discussions, as in many families, is addressing financial matters. Finances often remain undiscussed due to discomfort, yet they are fundamental to effective succession planning. Being open about the farm’s financial position, debts, and income distribution can help lay the groundwork for transparent conversations.
Equally important is understanding what each person wants for their future. Ask questions like:
- What are your personal and professional goals?
- Do you see yourself continuing in the farming business?
- If not, what role do you envision for yourself in the family enterprise?
Understanding individual objectives and assessing their feasibility is vital. These discussions can guide the family in finding practical solutions that work for everyone.
Planning Strategically for Continuity
A strong succession plan gradually prepares the next generation for leadership. Consider these strategies:
- Delegating decision-making: involve younger family members in important decisions to build their confidence.
- Knowledge sharing: pass on insights about farm management, production methods, and market trends.
- Creating a shared vision: develop a collective long-term vision for the farm that balances current realities with future opportunities.
Engaging All Stakeholders
Consider including all family members, regardless of their current involvement in the farm, in the succession planning process. Including diverse views can help minimise conflict and ensures everyone feels valued. Discussing each person’s interests and how they align with the farm’s future can help build consensus.
Financial Considerations
Financial planning plays a central role in succession. Use family gatherings to explore strategies that benefit all parties, including:
- Farm partnerships: establishing a formal partnership structure can streamline the transition.
- Tax planning: explore tax-efficient options for transferring assets and ownership.
Retirement plans: create retirement plans to ensure financial security and a smooth transition.
Seeking Expert Advice
Navigating the complexities of succession planning often requires professional guidance. Agricultural consultants, accountants, and legal experts can provide tailored advice to help develop a comprehensive plan.
Farming Community Network (FCN)
In conversations around succession planning, it can sometimes be valuable if a neutral ‘third party’ is present. While they can’t offer professional advice, FCN volunteers can help people to explore different options and could provide an alternative perspective.
FCN can be contacted in confidence on 03000 111 999 or help@fcn.org.uk, 7am-11pm, 365 days of the year.
FCN is a voluntary organisation and charity that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in farming and ‘walk with’ people at times of difficulty and change. FCN volunteers understand farming life and its unique pressures and are here to listen and support farmers, farm families and farm businesses.
Free Advice Through the Farming Resilience Fund
Farmers in England can access free expert advice through the Farming Resilience Fund (FRF), which is funded by Defra. This programme offers free advice from a trusted advisor for farming businesses. It helps farmers to adapt to sector changes, refine business models, and address key decisions such as succession planning. You can choose a provider that suits your needs to ensure effective transitions and safeguarding your farm's legacy.
“With all the changes, the free advice is a great starting point for farmers and their families. Having an independent person ask the questions can unlock a stalemate.” – David Meredith, DJM Consulting.
This festive season, consider raising succession planning as a topic for family discussions. By fostering open communication and involving all stakeholders, you can safeguard your farm’s future while strengthening family bonds. Succession planning is an ongoing process that requires dedication, collaboration, and strategic foresight. You could use this time to lay the foundation for a successful transition that will benefit generations to come.
Trees Outside Woodland research programme
Trees Outside Woodland is a five-year research programme delivered in partnership by The Tree Council, Natural England, Defra and five local authorities.
Within this programme, the Trees on Farms project has been exploring how to support farmers and landowners to establish trees. Trees can bring a variety of benefits to farms: they can enrich soil quality, provide habitat for wildlife, shade for livestock, and mitigate the effects of climate change.
The partnership has tested different ways of establishing trees on farms, looking at both agroforestry systems – alley cropping, wood pasture, orchards – and other methods such as hedge expansion, in-field trees, and field corners. Research participants have been positive about the changes on their farms:
“We’ve put in nearly 2,500 trees in the last three years, and we haven’t lost much land – it would only be another six sheep, which I can well do without.”
Rose Barnecut, fourth generation farmer, Bodinnick Farm, an organic mixed beef and sheep farm in Cornwall.
In four counties, 93 applicants have been engaged and have planted over 90,000 trees.
Oliver Kynaston, farmer at Berllan Deg Farm, Shropshire, has developed a diverse agroforestry system that blends fruit and timber trees with arable and grazing land, and introduced a short-rotation coppice.
He said: ‘After a year we’re delighted with how it’s gone. You’re not trading off between growing food and having trees, you’re able to integrate both systems to improve food production and land carrying capacity.’
James Turner, farm manager, with fruit trees planted in a silvo-arable system.
For more information on Trees Outside Woodlands, you can view the new film, an illustrated agroforestry guide, an agroforestry designer toolkit, and the tree council website.
Tree Health Pilot funding support for ash dieback
In September 2024, the Tree Health Pilot was extended until its transition into Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes, ensuring that there will be no gap in the provision of tree health grants.
The pilot is administered by the Forestry Commission and pays farmers and land managers to undertake activities that support tree health. These activities include the felling and treatment of diseased or infested trees and the restocking and maintenance of newly re-planted trees following a pest or disease outbreak.
Under the extension of the pilot, new funding has been made available to support with the felling of ash trees that have been affected by ash dieback:
- Funding for tree condition surveys to assess the health of ash trees before choosing appropriate management actions.
- Action plan and supporting guidance included in an Expression of Interest (EOI) to assist with choosing the right management actions for landowner’s trees.
The grant for ash dieback operates in the North West, West Midlands, South East and London. You can find out more about this grant and how to apply on GOV.UK.
Ash tree showing evidence of ash dieback
Defra regularly updates the Farming blog. Please subscribe to the blog to ensure you receive all the latest news.
Update on Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier
On Wednesday 11 December 2024, Defra published further information about the new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme.
The new Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CSHT) scheme will open in 2025, which will provide new quarterly payments designed to improve farmers’ cashflow and a rolling application window so that customers can apply throughout the year.
It will include new actions to improve flood resilience, species abundance, important funding to secure enhanced environmental benefits and deliver for nature recovery.
CSHT will open through an initial controlled roll out to ensure everyone gets the necessary support. Initially, applications will be by invitation – on a rolling monthly basis.
To ensure continuity, farmers whose CSHT agri-environment agreements expire in 2024 will be offered mirror agreements lasting 5 or 10 years. Those with Higher Level Stewardship agreements expiring in 2024 will be offered two-year extensions, while those with HLS agreements expiring in 2025 will be offered one or two-year extensions.
Defra are also further improving the SFI offer, by publishing an additional 14 SFI endorsed actions. These will be available from summer 2025 to enable farmers and land managers to contribute further benefits to grassland, heritage and coastal sites, among others.
Farming Resilience Fund: free business advice for your farm
There’s still time to get free business advice for your farm.
The Farming Resilience Fund offers free, tailored business support to help farmers and land managers during the early years of agricultural transition. If you have received direct payments since October 2022, you are eligible and can join the 25,000 farmers and land managers who have received 1-2-1 advice through trusted farming organisations.
While support under the fund is available until March 2025, we advise you to register by December 2024 to ensure your chosen provider has time to deliver high quality business planning support.
For more information on the support available and which organisations can provide free business support in your area, visit: Farming Resilience Fund: free business advice for your farm - GOV.UK
Government injects nearly £350 million to boost Britain’s food security
The Government has confirmed it's investing more than £343 million into the rural economy in the first week of December, benefiting more than 31,000 farmers.
This included payments worth £223 million to Countryside Stewardship revenue customers and £74 million to Environmental Stewardship customers, administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA).
The Government is providing over £5 billion to the farming budget.
Further payments made in December include £39 million under SFI, as part of the quarterly payments system designed to improve farmers’ cashflow and a further £7.4 million has been paid to customers who have completed Capital Grants works.
Farmers and land managers are stewards of the environment, and the Government will continue to invest in them to make their businesses, food production and the country more sustainable and resilient through Environmental Land Management.
Avian influenza prevention zone declared: act now to protect poultry businesses
Following detections of avian influenza in poultry and wild and captive birds across East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk, the UK’s Chief Veterinary Officer has declared an Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) across the region to mitigate the risk of further outbreaks of disease occurring.
This means that from 13 December 2024 it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers within the zone to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size. Use the interactive Avian Influenza disease map to check if you are in the Prevention Zone.
These measures are the most effective way to prevent the spread of avian influenza, keep birds healthy and protect poultry businesses’ profitability.
The AIPZ now in force across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk does not include a requirement to house birds, unless you are also in a 3km Protection Zone. However, this is being kept under constant review. There may be further measures you are required to follow if you are in the 10km Surveillance Zone or the 3km Protection Zone around a confirmed infected premises. Disease control measures are based on the latest scientific evidence and veterinary advice.
Read more about the actions that keepers in the zone must take to prevent disease.
Further support for British pork
On 8 December, the Government secured the end of China’s Covid-era restrictions on UK unprocessed pork exports. Industry estimates this could boost revenues by around £80 million.
This means premium pork products can once again be sold in China, with major UK producers getting the green light to restart their exports immediately.
China bought around £180 million worth of pigmeat in 2023 alone – making them the UK’s biggest non-EU customer.
The development comes after top-level talks during the Foreign Secretary’s recent visit to China.
Representatives from Defra and the Department for Business and Trade have worked to get British pork back on Chinese menus in collaboration with industry, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and the UK Export Certification Partnership (UKECP).
This will help to deliver growth, and follows the government securing access to the US market for UK beetroot growers earlier this year, worth approximately £150,000 per year in increased exports.
Defra will continue to work closely with UK pork producers and traders, as well as relevant industry bodies, to ensure the smooth export of their goods to China.
Rural Payments Agency Blog
To stay up to date with the latest information and updates from the Rural Payments Agency (RPA), sign up to the RPA Blog. You can also listen to the RPA Podcast, which has been launched to help farmers, landowners and rural communities keep up to date with the latest news from the RPA. You can also follow the RPA on social media:
- X @ruralpay
- Facebook: facebook.com/RuralPaymentsAgency
- YouTube: Rural Payments Agency
- Instagram: ruralpay
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