皇家华人

Building Relationships with DEFRA

Tom stressed the importance of engaging with the new DEFRA Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds. Although she represents an urban constituency, she has shown a genuine interest in rural affairs, having spent considerable time at the Bucks Show prior to her appointment.

Family Farms Tax & Broader Challenges

The proposed family farms tax remains the top concern for many members. However, Tom acknowledged a wider landscape of challenges, including:

• Bovine TB: He praised NFU Dorset for starting to develop a proposal for a pilot scheme to streamline testing for both infected and inclusive herds.
• Protests vs Policy Influence: Responding to calls for more protests, Tom explained that maintaining strong government relationships is essential. With widespread demonstrations across sectors, another farming protest risks being overlooked.

DEFRA Scheme Changes & Funding Cuts

Tom also addressed recent changes to DEFRA鈥檚 SFI and broader funding concerns:

• DEFRA paused new SFI applications earlier this year, citing a need to refocus priorities.
• Following NFU legal pressure, DEFRA allowed farmers with started applications to complete them.
• Despite a headline commitment of 拢2.7bn annually, real-term funding is expected to fall by around 4% due to inflation.
• Farmers face increased compliance with fewer resources and unclear funding breakdowns across SFI, Countryside Stewardship, and other schemes.

Tom reaffirmed the NFU鈥檚 commitment to supporting members through these changes, advocating for transparency, fair funding, and practical solutions.

There鈥檚 been plenty going on in Dorset鈥檚 rural policing landscape, and I wanted to share the latest developments.

The rural crime team remains steady, with four dedicated PCs (one vacancy), a sergeant, two PCSOs, and two specials. They鈥檙e supported by a growing group of mounted rural volunteers 鈥� now up to seventeen 鈥� helping maintain a visible presence across the countryside.

Quad and vehicle theft continues to be a concern, and livestock theft, which had quietened down, is starting to reappear. Please remain vigilant and report anything suspicious.

Poaching and hare coursing are also on the radar. The earlier harvest seems to have shifted activity, with fewer incidents reported so far. Police have issued criminal behaviour orders to known offenders, though many simply move on. The message remains clear: keep reporting 鈥� every bit helps.

Heath fires have been another issue, with at least one confirmed as deliberate. The fire service leads on prevention, but not all incidents are investigated by police, especially when they鈥檙e not informed. It鈥檚 a reminder of the importance of cross-agency communication and community vigilance.

Firearms licensing is improving. The backlog of renewals has dropped to around 1,000, and Dorset鈥檚 return to a local system has helped. Five new officers are joining the Firearms Licensing Unit this month, and AI is being trialled to streamline data input. New applications, however, are still facing delays.

Interest in Dorset Alert is growing. If you haven鈥檛 signed up yet, it鈥檚 worth doing 鈥� it鈥檚 a great way to stay informed and help the police help you.

A newer issue is 鈥渄rone auditing鈥� 鈥� where drone operators provoke confrontations for online content. It鈥檚 not widespread in Dorset yet, but worth being aware of, especially in remote areas.

Direct action protests have quietened down, with most efforts focused elsewhere. One group continues to protest near an abattoir, but they鈥檙e being monitored and haven鈥檛 caused disruption.

Fly tipping remains a stubborn problem. Dorset now has a co-funded investigator, and 11 vehicles have been seized. The PCC is lobbying in the House of Lords for stricter enforcement and more resources, especially given the South West鈥檚 shortage of investigators. Tougher sanctions have been introduced, but they鈥檙e rarely applied.

During Rural Crime Week, police will be working with Young Farmers Clubs and Kingston Maurward College, alongside partners like Paragon and Stars, to address safeguarding and behavioural concerns. There鈥檚 also a plan to convert a vehicle for ANPR use.

Finally, I鈥檓 pleased to confirm the PCC will be our guest at the webinar on 24th September 鈥� please see the link below.

As always, partnership is key. Whether it鈥檚 spotting hare coursers, reporting suspicious activity, or simply staying informed, your involvement makes a real difference.

Hosted by Nigel Friend and chaired by Tim Gelfs, Dorset NFU鈥檚 Countryside Day brought together farmers, councillors from both Dorset councils, and key stakeholders to explore the vital connections between food production, environmental stewardship, and rural resilience.

The day began with a warm welcome from Tim, followed by a tractor and trailer tour of Nigel鈥檚 farm, located in the SSSI-designated Cranborne Chase. At each stop, Nigel, Ian, and Wakely shared insights into farming practices and challenges, setting the tone for a series of thoughtful discussions.

Topics included the role of wildflower planting and environmental management in modern farming, concerns over DEFRA鈥檚 sudden closure of SFI applications which has led to growing mistrust between farmers and government, and the impact of climate change. Dorset鈥檚 dry spring and early harvest have placed pressure on crop and livestock systems, highlighting the need for robust policy support.

Wakely also spoke about the importance of educating young people about farming. He emphasised the need to reconnect future generations with food production and the countryside and encouraged councillors to support initiatives that bring farming into schools and communities.

Over lunch, Ian spoke with councillors about the importance of buying local and the need for councils to engage with the farming community when shaping environmental policy. He called for stronger local procurement commitments to support Dorset-grown produce.

The event concluded with remarks from Jacks Weaver, Regional Policy Manager, who addressed key themes including environmental policy, land use, food security, and support for local family farms. Tim closed the day by reflecting on the discussions and noting the strong engagement from councillors and their interest in learning more.

The event reinforced the value of NFU membership in bringing people together to tackle shared challenges and shape the future of farming in Dorset.

The Dorset National Landscape, formerly known as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), has released its draft Management Plan for 2026 to 2031. 

The plan outlines a vision for the region, focusing on priorities for landscape management, community engagement, and planning. A public consultation is now open and will close on 22 September 2025.

Stakeholders and residents are encouraged to review the draft and share their views.

皇家华人will be submitting a response, and members wishing to contribute should contact [email protected].

The draft plan and consultation details for public access and feedback.

Trevor Cligg, former Dorset County Chair, writes:

In recent months, members of the Hardy Farmers breakfast group have explored a promising new form of political engagement - direct dialogue with local Labour Party branches - and the results have been striking.

It began with an invitation to Bridport Labour Party.

Their response was swift and open: representatives attended a meeting, listened carefully to concerns about farming policy, and engaged in constructive discussion. The dialogue went so well that both sides agreed to hold a public meeting in Bridport.

More than 100 people attended, and what could have been a tense exchange turned into a positive experience. Even some of the more left-wing attendees who had intended to challenge the speakers opted instead to listen - and in some cases, voice their support. Unite the Union also contributed, highlighting the shared concern for rural jobs and the wider economy.

The group then engaged with Yeovil Labour Party, who likewise responded promptly and positively. After their visit, they followed up by relaying the group鈥檚 concerns to government. This resulted in direct communication from Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner - a testament to the impact of local political engagement.

These experiences underline a simple truth: when local party members hear directly from farmers, the message gains authenticity and weight. It becomes part of their narrative and can eventually reach the top.

There鈥檚 growing interest in engaging with members of the Co-operative Party, which has long operated in tandem with Labour. With 43 MPs and 15 peers, they could become important allies, especially given that many are more receptive to rural issues than the wider party. Although their presence in the South West is limited, building connections where possible is a logical next step.

This initiative doesn鈥檛 aim to replace national lobbying by the NFU, but to complement it through local-level pressure. Where MPs are already advocating for farming, it鈥檚 important not to undermine those relationships - but in other areas, engaging directly with Labour constituency parties could prove to be a valuable strategy.

The Hardy Farmers experience suggests that when farmers speak directly to the grassroots, real understanding and progress can follow.

In Dorset, the recent reintroduction of beavers, under license, at Purbeck has sparked both hope and concern among NFU members.

While conservationists hail the move as a milestone for ecosystem restoration, farmers are wary of the potential disruption to productive land.

Beavers, known for their dam-building, can transform landscapes by creating wetlands that boost biodiversity and potentially slowing the flow of watercourses. However, past experiences in Scotland have shown that unmanaged beaver activity can damage riverbanks and farmland, leading to costly repairs.

To address these concerns, Natural England has provided a statutory guidance in a five-step approach that should be followed to manage and mitigate any impacts and land managers are encouraged to engage with beaver management groups.

However, it has also emerged that some beavers have been released illegally, raising concerns about unregulated impacts and the need for robust monitoring and enforcement.

Locally the NFU remains cautious, urging careful monitoring to prevent economic losses. As Dorset adapts to living with beavers, the balance between nature recovery and agricultural sustainability will be key.

For farmers, the success of this initiative hinges on collaboration, transparency, and effective mitigation strategies.

皇家华人has submitted a detailed response to Dorset Council鈥檚 consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS), reinforcing the vital role of farmers and landowners in shaping and delivering nature recovery across the county.

皇家华人has been actively involved in the development of the Dorset LNRS through the farmer and landowner engagement working group. While the NFU welcomed the opportunity to contribute and encouraged members to respond individually, it also highlighted the need for clearer guidance on how LNRS mapping could affect planning and land use decisions.

In its response, the NFU emphasised that agriculture must be recognised as a keystone activity in the countryside. Farms not only produce food, fibre, and energy but also play a central role in environmental stewardship. The LNRS must support, not hinder, farm businesses in their efforts to diversify, modernise, and access both public and private environmental funding.

Key recommendations included:

• Early and transparent engagement with farmers throughout the strategy鈥檚 development.
• Recognition of existing and planned environmental contributions by farmers.
• Use of sound, ground-truth scientific data.
• Sensible and flexible mapping that avoids unintended consequences for productive land.
• Ensuring access to funding opportunities through ELMs and private markets.
• Consideration of the impact on farm infrastructure and planning.
• Careful selection of priority species and actions to avoid negative effects on food production.
• Respect for farmer choice and data privacy.
• Coordination across LNRS boundaries to reflect the reality of farm businesses.

We will continue to work with Dorset Council and other stakeholders to ensure that the LNRS is practical, fair, and supportive of the farming community鈥檚 role in nature recovery.

is open until 30 July.

Hemsworth Farm, nestled in the heart of Witchampton, Dorset, recently hosted a visit from the Farming Community Network (FCN), offering a valuable opportunity to explore the workings of one of the region鈥檚 leading organic dairy farms.

Run by Sophie Alexander, the 500-hectare farm is a beacon of sustainable agriculture, combining arable and dairy operations with a strong commitment to biodiversity and regenerative practices.

At the core of Hemsworth鈥檚 dairy enterprise is a herd of 240 Viking Red cows, contract farmed by Roaming Dairy Ltd. The cows calve in a spring block and are grazed on herbal leys, with outwintering also taking place on these diverse pastures.

The farm鈥檚 innovative approach includes silage mixes rich in clover and vetch, and plans for silvopasture to enhance animal welfare and environmental resilience.

FCN鈥檚 visit focused on the farm鈥檚 holistic management and the challenges and opportunities facing organic producers. Discussions highlighted the importance of mental health support in farming, especially in systems that demand high levels of planning and adaptability.

Sophie shared insights into the farm鈥檚 biodiversity initiatives, including 28 km of hedgerows, extensive buffer strips, and woodland expansion.

The visit also showcased Hemsworth鈥檚 involvement in agri-tech innovation, such as remote biodiversity monitoring projects that track pollinator activity and birdlife. These efforts underline the farm鈥檚 role as a model for integrating technology with traditional farming values.

FCN praised the openness and forward-thinking ethos at Hemsworth Farm, noting the importance of peer support and knowledge sharing in building resilient farming communities.

As organic farming continues to evolve, Hemsworth stands out as a testament to what鈥檚 possible when ecological stewardship and community engagement go hand in hand.

Dorset鈥檚 Police and Crime Commissioner, David Sidwick, held an online meeting of key stakeholders to discuss the latest developments in rural crime prevention and community resilience across Dorset.

The session opened with a focus on Country Watch (CW), a growing initiative aimed at supporting rural communities through better communication, visibility, and partnership.

Attendees heard updates on the CW website, which now features local news, an events calendar, and a dedicated QR code for easy access. New signage and consistent use of the CW logo across social media and community events are helping to raise awareness. Importantly, partners were encouraged to actively promote CW and explore how it can support their own efforts to build resilience in rural areas.

The conversation then turned to rural resources, highlighting the role of the Rural Crime Team (RCT), national policing bodies like the NPCC, and specialist units and were praised for their growing membership and impact. The group also discussed how partnership resources are being used to tackle rural crime more effectively.

Helen Fletcher from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) provided valuable insights into strategic priorities, while Dorset Police representatives Adam Gill and Andy Turtle shared operational updates.

Dorset Police presented new farm packs designed to support local landowners, alongside a demonstration of how drones are being used to monitor remote areas and deter criminal activity.

The meeting closed with a shared commitment to collaboration and innovation in protecting Dorset鈥檚 rural communities.