Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs

XAG Agricultural Drone is Granted the CAA Operational Authorization to Spray in the UK

Retrieved on: 
Monday, January 16, 2023

MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- XAG Agricultural Drones, P40 and V40, have been granted the UK's first-ever Operational Authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for agricultural spraying operations.

Key Points: 
  • MANCHESTER, England, Jan. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- XAG Agricultural Drones, P40 and V40, have been granted the UK's first-ever Operational Authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for agricultural spraying operations.
  • Change comes with the release of the UK Government's ambition statement and vision for commercial drones, after which CAA started to consider granting Operational Authorization to heavier spray drones.
  • Since cooperating with Harper Adams University in research on precision agriculture in 2018, XAG has never stopped exploring the UK drone market.
  • The grantee of Operational Authorization marks a significant change that agricultural drone officially set foot in the country.

No time to lose on Protocol implementation for Northern Ireland agrifood

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 3, 2020

The EU Environment Sub-Committee writes to Secretary of State George Eustice to summarise the key findings from its inquiry on agrifood and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Key Points: 
  • The EU Environment Sub-Committee writes to Secretary of State George Eustice to summarise the key findings from its inquiry on agrifood and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
  • In June this year, the Committee took evidence from organisations throughout the Northern Ireland agrifood supply chain, from the grain trade and farmers to food processors and retail, as well as the fishing industry.
  • The Committee has now written to the Secretary of State setting out its key findings, including:
    The Protocol is an opportunity for Northern Ireland to have a unique position in trade, but a UK-EU free trade agreement is critical to making this possible
    There are significant risks if the Protocol is implemented without enough preparation and a careful approach, particularly if standards diverge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK: the viability of some Northern Ireland agrifood business operations could be threatened and Northern Ireland consumers could face higher food prices
    There is an urgent need for the Government to step up its engagement and start detailed discussions on proposals for how to implement the Protocol with Northern Ireland agrifood businesses.

No time to lose on Protocol implementation for Northern Ireland agrifood

Retrieved on: 
Friday, July 3, 2020

The EU Environment Sub-Committee writes to Secretary of State George Eustice to summarise the key findings from its inquiry on agrifood and the Northern Ireland Protocol.

Key Points: 
  • The EU Environment Sub-Committee writes to Secretary of State George Eustice to summarise the key findings from its inquiry on agrifood and the Northern Ireland Protocol.
  • In June this year, the Committee took evidence from organisations throughout the Northern Ireland agrifood supply chain, from the grain trade and farmers to food processors and retail, as well as the fishing industry.
  • The Committee has now written to the Secretary of State setting out its key findings, including:
    The Protocol is an opportunity for Northern Ireland to have a unique position in trade, but a UK-EU free trade agreement is critical to making this possible
    There are significant risks if the Protocol is implemented without enough preparation and a careful approach, particularly if standards diverge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK: the viability of some Northern Ireland agrifood business operations could be threatened and Northern Ireland consumers could face higher food prices
    There is an urgent need for the Government to step up its engagement and start detailed discussions on proposals for how to implement the Protocol with Northern Ireland agrifood businesses.

Highlights - EU support for innovation in agriculture: public hearing - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

Key Points: 
  • Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, attended his first meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 January since his election.

  • Members used this opportunity to ask the Commissioner about various commitments made during the hearing as commissioner designate.
  • This exchange of views was based on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 negotiations to build a modern and sustainable agriculture; the contribution to the EU "Farm to Fork strategy", looking at how the agri-food sector can improve sustainability across the agri-food supply chain; how to ensure that agri-food production contributes to the EU climate, environmental and biodiversity goals; how to strengthen the system of geographical indications and developing a new long-term vision for rural areas under the Strategic Plans post 2020; how to promote Europe's high-quality food standards worldwide and how the agri sector could react to the Green deal .

Highlights - European Food Safety Authority: exchange of views with Dr Bernhard Url - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 11, 2020

Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

Key Points: 
  • Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, attended his first meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 January since his election.

  • Members used this opportunity to ask the Commissioner about various commitments made during the hearing as commissioner designate.
  • This exchange of views was based on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 negotiations to build a modern and sustainable agriculture; the contribution to the EU "Farm to Fork strategy", looking at how the agri-food sector can improve sustainability across the agri-food supply chain; how to ensure that agri-food production contributes to the EU climate, environmental and biodiversity goals; how to strengthen the system of geographical indications and developing a new long-term vision for rural areas under the Strategic Plans post 2020; how to promote Europe's high-quality food standards worldwide and how the agri sector could react to the Green deal .

Highlights - Croatian Presidency: exchange of views with Marija Vučković, Minister of Agriculture - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

Key Points: 
  • Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, will attend his first meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 January since his election.

  • Members will use this opportunity to ask the Commissioner about various commitments made during the hearing as commissioner designate.
  • This exchange of views will be based on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 negotiations to build a modern and sustainable agriculture; the contribution to the EU "Farm to Fork strategy", looking at how the agri-food sector can improve sustainability across the agri-food supply chain; how to ensure that agri-food production contributes to the EU climate, environmental and biodiversity goals; how to strengthen the system of geographical indications and developing a new long-term vision for rural areas under the Strategic Plans post 2020; how to promote Europe's high-quality food standards worldwide and how the agri sector could react to the Green deal .

Highlights - New Delivery Model: exchange of views with Paying Agencies - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

Key Points: 
  • Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, will attend his first meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 January since his election.

  • Members will use this opportunity to ask the Commissioner about various commitments made during the hearing as commissioner designate.
  • This exchange of views will be based on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 negotiations to build a modern and sustainable agriculture; the contribution to the EU "Farm to Fork strategy", looking at how the agri-food sector can improve sustainability across the agri-food supply chain; how to ensure that agri-food production contributes to the EU climate, environmental and biodiversity goals; how to strengthen the system of geographical indications and developing a new long-term vision for rural areas under the Strategic Plans post 2020; how to promote Europe's high-quality food standards worldwide and how the agri sector could react to the Green deal .

Highlights - Commissioner Wojciechowski’s commitments: exchange of views - Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

Key Points: 
  • Commissioner Wojciechowskis commitments: exchange of views

    The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Janusz Wojciechowski, will attend his first meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development on 23 January since his election.

  • Members will use this opportunity to ask the Commissioner about various commitments made during the hearing as commissioner designate.
  • This exchange of views will be based on the Common Agricultural Policy post 2020 negotiations to build a modern and sustainable agriculture; the contribution to the EU "Farm to Fork strategy", looking at how the agri-food sector can improve sustainability across the agri-food supply chain; how to ensure that agri-food production contributes to the EU climate, environmental and biodiversity goals; how to strengthen the system of geographical indications and developing a new long-term vision for rural areas under the Strategic Plans post 2020; how to promote Europe's high-quality food standards worldwide and how the agri sector could react to the Green deal .

FS50773219

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The complainant submitted a number of requests to Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for information concerning journey logs for live animal transport from within Northern Ireland.  The public authority refused to comply with the requests on the basis of section 14(1) of FOIA as they considered them to be vexatious.  The Commissioner has concluded that the requests are vexatious and therefore DAERA are not obliged to respond to the requests by virtue of section 14(1) of FOIA.   

Key Points: 
  • The complainant submitted a number of requests to Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) for information concerning journey logs for live animal transport from within Northern Ireland.
  • The public authority refused to comply with the requests on the basis of section 14(1) of FOIA as they considered them to be vexatious.
  • The Commissioner has concluded that the requests are vexatious and therefore DAERA are not obliged to respond to the requests by virtue of section 14(1) of FOIA.