Carrot Review

INDUSTRY UPDATES THE NFU says it is working hard to address key concerns as the rules for the movement of plant and plant products between the UK and the EU are changing. A Service Level Agreement (SLA) has been secured from government for place of destination checks which commits inspectors to inspecting or releasing plants within four working hours. NFU Horticulture Board Chairman, Ali Capper, said the NFU is continuing to work with Defra and that the SLA provided reassurance but more needs to be done to ensure businesses are not put under significant pressure when resources are already stretched. The NFU is pushing for the government to put in place six key solutions to balance biosecurity with business continuity: RABI’s new online wellbeing and counselling platform has seen a 90% return rate since launching in October. Normalising seeking early preventative support to maintain better mental wellbeing continues to be a fundamental challenge for RABI. Establishing the online wellbeing platform has been the first step in the farming community charity’s development of flexible, accessible programmes of support that reach a wider audience. RABI’s Chief Executive Alicia Chivers said: “There is often an unrealistic perception that farming people are ‘invincible’. The truth is, we all have the capacity to be affected by difficulties and challenges, so it’s vital there are these easily accessible and confidential tools available to help overcome some of these invisible barriers that can stop farming people gaining greater resilience from professional support. “It’s an ongoing conversation that we collectively need to continue to amplify. We must break down the barriers created by labelling ourselves as ‘robust’ and ‘strong’ to allow farmers to acknowledge they are human, just like the rest of us. “I am aware that there is still a lot of work to do to really embed this message far and wide. Until we can really achieve this, these barriers will continue to impact farming people, preventing them from feeling comfortable to access the many services available to empower them to move forward positively,” she added. The online service offers free, anonymous resources to adults and young people from the growing community throughout England and Wales. Users can also access one-to- one counselling with British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy accredited counsellors, who have received training in the challenges facing farmers. For more details, visit rabi.org.uk/kooth. RABI says it has received huge support across the growing industry for the service, with many taking to online media to share details and encourage its use. Six solutions sought in light of EU exit Online wellbeing service helps remove barriers to support 14 CARROT REVIEW JANUARY 2021 News from the NFU News from RABI 1. The further development of the SLA to include provision for government to accept liability for the impact inspection delays may have on the quality or yield of the plants or plant products, and to be extended in scope to cover all new checks, including those at borders. There must also be public reporting on government performance in meeting these targets. 2. A smart risk-based approach for all new inspections to reduce overall frequency. 3. The further suspension of inspection fees. 4. A smooth transition to new IT systems. 5. The extension of the ‘Place of Destination’ (PoD) system to a permanent option. 6. The UK government must prioritise efforts to secure the necessary equivalency agreements and plant health authorisations to allow continued GB exports of certain goods to the EU and Northern Irish markets. “It is critical that costs are kept to a minimum, especially as businesses are feeling the effects of a difficult trading year due to COVID,” said Ali. “We are also seeking a commitment that inspections can continue to take place at business sites beyond July to relieve pressure on borders, minimise further disruption to businesses and reduce the risk of damage to goods, especially vulnerable young plants.”