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£25m in grants made available to farmers to boost productivity
The grants form the third and final round of the Government's Countryside Productivity Small Grants scheme.
Funding can be used to buy new and innovative equipment. 

Farmers across the United Kingdom can now apply for grants to help boost their efficiency and improve the environment.

Farming minister Victoria Prentis said the third and final round of the Government's Countryside Productivity Small Grants (CPSG) scheme will see £25 million being made available to farming businesses.

Under the scheme, farmers will be able to apply for grants of between £3,000 and £12,000 to buy new and innovative equipment, from livestock monitoring cameras to precision farming technology. The initiative aims to help businesses save time and money and boost productivity.

“Coming from a farming family, I have experienced first-hand the benefits that having innovative equipment can bring, including saving businesses time and money while improving yields and minimising the impact we have on the environment around us,” said Ms Prentis. “Our landmark Agriculture Bill sets out further measures to help farmers become more productive, efficient and resilient, with specific productivity grants expected to be available from 2021.”

During the first two funding rounds of the CPSG scheme, some £35 million was allocated to farmers. This latest announcement brings the total funding made available under the scheme to £60 million.

Farmers that successfully applied to grants in previous rounds of the scheme will be able to apply for different items of equipment in the final round, up to the limit of £12,000 per farmer.

“It’s fantastic to be able to announce a third round of the ever-popular Small Grants scheme,” commented Rural Payments Agency chief executive Paul Caldwell. “Having access to game-changing innovative technology can make a real difference to farmers and help boost the productivity of the whole farming sector in England.”

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
Lords Committee opens Pet Parasite Medication inquiry

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee will launch its inquiry into Pet Parasite Medication (PPM) on Wednesday (3 June).

Focusing on treatments containing fipronil and imidacloprid, the inquiry will seek to understand distribution pathways and the impacts of PPM use and non-use on biodiversity and human health. It will also cover current regulation, monitoring, and the potential implications for pets and their owners.

The committee will hear evidence from environmental non-governmental organisations and research institutes. The public can follow the proceedings live on Parliament TV or in person in the Palace of Westminster.