Search

The article reports on the doubts over the estimates made by Great Britain's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) that the income of farmers has increased by 25% in real terms in 2009.

The article reports that the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board has introduced a minimum wage of 3.50 British pounds per hour for agricultural apprentices, in order to encourage more young people into the industry.

The author comments on the higher minimum wage rate Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) of Northern Ireland compared with the national minimum wage by a penny. He claims that the wage rate also varies from the Scottish WB settlement. He asserts that rates are not needed since the shortage of higher-skilled agricultural workers resulted to higher rates. He urges the elimination of the AWB in order to save overhead, administration and publication costs.

This section offers news briefs on the agricultural industry in Great Britain as of June 2009. The Meat Free Monday campaign launched by singer Paul McCartney, which encourages people to go vegetarian for one day a week, was rejected by farmers. Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF) chief executive officer (CEO) Caroline Drummond has received a member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2009 Queen's Birthday Honours. Agricultural workers are set to receive a minimum wage increase following talks with the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB).

The article reports on an increase in minimum wages for agricultural workers by up to 2.2%, after an agreement with the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) in Great Britain in 2009. National Farmers Union (NFU) employment spokesperson Bob Fiddaman expressed his disappointment over the pay raise that was more than the 1.9% agreed by the Scottish AWB. All grades will received the increase, with the exclusion of grade 1 laborers. He added that according to employee representative, Unite, the surge in farm incomes in 2008 could compensate for any salary increase.

The author reflects on the agriculture in the Central Valley in California. He argues that most money generated on the agricultural farms in the Central Valley turns over often in banking, trucking, service industries, food processing, manufacturing, as well as car dealerships. He stresses that agricultural income has not been expected to change for at least a few years. He describes Central Valley as one of the bountiful farming areas worldwide.

The article reports on the expected 4.5% wage increase for farmworkers by October 1, 2007 as part of a pay deal secured by the Agricultural Wages Board of Great Britain. The deal will add £50 million to the farmers' pay. It notes that the decision was made by the independent members of the board since the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the super union Unite were not able to reach an agreement. It notes that the NFU was not satisfied with the level of increases.

The article reports on the failure of the European Union (EU) to improve the economic income of farmers in Europe after 50 years since the signing of the Treaty of Rome. It is noted that the Treaty of Rome did not contain a catch-all commitment to improve the economic lot of farmers. In this connection, it is impossible to decide whether agriculture has fared better as a result of the aspiration of the Treaty of Rome.

The article reports on the order made by Scottish Rural Affairs Minister Ross Finnie to the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board to remove age-related pay bands. The new rate, introduced on January 1, 2007, gives all farm staff in Scotland, including 16 and 17-year-olds, a minimum wage of £5.35 per hour and has been described as a huge mistake by National Farmers' Union Scotland. Finnie has intervened to try and get a change in Scotland's wages order.

The article focuses on the decision by the British Gangmasters Licensing Authority to revoke the authorisation of all seven labour providers that supply labour to Bomfords, one of the country's largest vegetable suppliers. The Association of Labour Providers (ALP), which had previously voiced concern over business practices of Bomfords, praised the decision of the authority. The ALP claims that labour providers had reported to it that Bomfords was paying just £6.10 per hour.

The article reports on the six percent increase in pay and holiday entitlement of British farmworkers under the Heads of Claim for the 2007 Agricultural Wage Negotiation submitted by the Transport and General Workers Union. The union also seeks for the revision of accommodation clauses to prevent temporary workers exploitation. Bob Fiddaman of the National Farmers Union (NFU) stated that the increase in the Total Income From Farming Figures does not cover the entire farming industry.

Information about several topics discussed at the National Cotton Council's Beltwide Cotton Conferences in New Orleans, Louisiana is presented. For openers, the Council faced a serious assault on farmer incomes when the administration revealed its fiscal year 2007 budget blueprint last February 2006. The Council and other farm group were less successful in persuading Congress to offer $3 billion to $6 billion in aid for weather and energy-related disasters that occurred in 2005 and 2006.

The article reports that Julian Salmon, director of the Country Land and Business Association, encouraged members to calculate their compensation before signing up on Tir Gofal whole-farm management contracts during the Welsh Winter Fair. He reminded the farmers that they will accept rates set in 1999 if they join and sign the contract in 2006. He advised the farmers to determine whether the payments they will sign up will be sufficient to maintain the productivity of the farm.

The article reports on the position of the National Farmers' Union in Scotland (NFUS) on the confirmation that the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board is removing age-related minimum rates of wages from its Wages Order. Jamie Smart, chairman of NFUS Legal and Technical Committee, said that the vast majority of agricultural workers were paid well above the minimum rates and the decision would hamper young entrants.

The article reports that if moves by the Scottish Agricultural Wages Board for a standard minimum wage are successful, young people will find it hard to get work on farms in Scotland according to National Farmers Union Scotland. The pay structure would give 16 and 17 year old workers a minimum increase of over £2 per hour, while those under 18 years old are entitled to £5.70 per hour after a period of 26 weeks.

The author offers insights on sugar-beet pricing and compensation of sugar growers agreed by the National Farmers Union and British Sugar. He cites that many sugar growers will be affected by the deal because they will no longer have sugar plants to supply to. He states that the £8 per ton on offer for surrendering contract tonnage is much better than the European Union's reform compensation scheme. He emphasizes that the agreement could be more advantageous for the Allscott and York sugar farmers in England.

The article reports on an wage deal agreed for by the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Transport and General Workers Union and the British Agricultural Wages Board. It is said that the board has recognized the need for balance between increasing wages and what farmers were able to pay according to NFU chief economist Carmen Suarez. Chief negotiator Chris Kaufman says that there are 30,000 who have the opportunity to be promoted to lead worker grade from the deal.

The article reports on the impact of higher input costs, such as fuel and fertilizer on agricultural income.

The article focuses on the available compensation for poultry farmers if the avian flu affects commercial flocks. As part of a disease control programme, compensation is not payable for birds infected with the virus, according to poultry team leader Stephen Edge. The compensation paid by the British Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs covers primary clean-up, disinfection of the litter and all surfaces within the house. Several European Union countries with avian flu include France and Italy.

The article focuses on issues facing the agricultural sector in Canada as of February 2006. The conservative government needs to replace the Canadian Agricultural Income Support programme. The monopoly in the Canadian Wheat Board has a negative impact on farmers.

Focuses on the suggested changes from dairy farmer David Kirkpatrick in reducing the reliance of British farmers on subsidies. Advantages of replacing the original Aberdeen Angus Hereford cross suckler cows with stabilisers; Options adopted to determine which farming system will generate more income; Ways to reduce farm operating costs.

Reports on the settlement of issues regarding wages and grading systems between farmworkers and their employers at the British Agricultural Wages Board in June 2005. Increase in salaries to be received by the workers; Views of National Farmers Union spokesman Bob Fiddaman on the settlement of the issue.

Reports on an increase in farm incomes in several new European Union (EU) member states in 2004 according to the EU statistics agency Eurostat. Increase in the overall income per agricultural worker in 2004; Factors behind the increase; Comments from agriculture commissioner Mariann Fischer Boel on improvements in the EU farm incomes.

Reports on the commitment of Conservative party leader Michael Howard to eliminate the Agricultural Wages Board and reduce bureaucracy in Great Britain. Overview of his views on the wages board; Appointment of John Redwood to deal with deregulation; Plan to implement legislation on farming industries.

Reports on the wage increase approval by the Agricultural Wages Board in Great Britain. Comment from Bob Fiddaman, wages board chairman of the National Farmers' Union, on the impact of the increase on the country's agricultural jobs; Details of the national average wage increase in the country; Implication of the approval in the industry.

Reports on the changes made by the British Agricultural Wages Board to the pay deal which will be applied starting autumn 2004. Reactions of farm leaders and farm workers' representatives on the changes; Accusations of the Transport and General Workers' Union, which represents farm workers, against the National Farmers Union (NFU); Statement issued by Bob Fiddaman, employment spokesman of NFU, concerning the accusations.

Reports on the pay rise averaging 5.1% across the different grade won by farm workers in England in October 2003. Increase in rates for manual harvest workers; Percentage of increase in the rates for appointment grades 1 and 2; Improvement in the incomes of farm workers; Reaction of agricultural trade union leaders to the pay rise.

Reports on the improvement in the financial performance of Irish agriculture in 2003 according to the Central Statistics Office. Increase in the total output; Status of agricultural income; Predicted decrease in milk prices in 2004.

Representatives from NFU and Transport and General (T&G) Workers Union gathered on April 8-9, 2003 to discuss the 2003 Agricultural Wages Board Order. The meeting was overseen by board chairman Derek Evans. Evans was appointed to the role by DEFRA secretary Margaret Beckett last week. Bob Fiddaman, leader of the NFU's delegation, told before the meeting that it would probably take more than two days to make a decision. T&G's submission to the board called for a rise in the standard rate of wages from £4.91&fslash;hour to £6&fslash;hour.

Focuses on the pay claim proposed by the Transport and General Workers Union for all agricultural workers in Great Britain. Amount proposed by the union; Overview of the negotiations to be discussed in the 2003 Agricultural Wages Board.

Reports on the failed attempt of the National Farmers' Union to overturn an order of the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) for negotiations concerning the agricultural industry in Great Britain as of December 13, 2002. Factor considered by the union before applying for a judicial review of the AWB order; Influence of the statistical support from the British Department for Environmental, Food and Rural Affairs on the changes in farming industry.

Reports on the decision of the British National Farmers' Union leaders to rejoin the Agricultural Wages Board for England and Wales after they walked out an NFU Council on late livestock payments for farm workers on October 9, 2002. Reason for the decision of the agency; Information on the board.

Reports the request made by the National Farmers' Union (NFU) to the High Court of Great Britain for a judicial review of the Agricultural Wages Order to increase the salaries of farm workers beginning October 1, 2002. Claims of the NFU; Cost of the wage hike to farmers.

Deals with the issue of a fair wage in the British agricultural industry as of September 2002. Base payment for all farm workers from October 1, 2002 according to the Agricultural Wages Board; Reaction of the National Farmers' Union to the base pay for farmers.

Provides information on the plan of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) to seek a judicial review of the decision to increase salaries in the farming industry in Great Britain. Impact of the wage hike on the farming industry; Arguments presented by the organization regarding the decision; Action taken by the British Agricultural Wage Board regarding the plan of the NFU.

Reports on the decision made by the National Farmers Union (NFU) to resign from the British Agricultural Wages Board after failing to persuade the board on the issue of pay increase. Amount of the hourly salary rate of farm workers; Regulations imposed by the NFU.

Reports on the move of the National Farmers' Union to expand its campaign against a British Agricultural Wages Board (AWB) settlement by writing to British Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs junior minister Elliot Motley to complain. Effect of the settlement on horticulture and agriculture; Percentage of the pay increase that will be confirmed by the AWB; Hourly rate.

Focuses on the efforts of the National Farmers Union to urge pay increase for seasonal farmers in Great Britain. Percentage of the proposed wage increase.

Reports the contribution of growing income-generating woody ornamentals on landowners income and environment conservation in the U.S. Diversity of farming operation; Collection of information on marketing, packaging and grading preferences; Variation on the prices of woody ornamentals.

Reports on the forced publication of the 2002 Adverse Effect Wage Rate by the Department of Labor due to the lawsuit filed by the United Farm Workers in the U.S. Effectivity of the wage rate; Impact of wage rate on green industry professionals; Growth of nursery production due to wage rate increase of workers.

Deals with the wages of field and farm workers in the Ninth District of the United States as of July 2000. Average wage per hour in April; Wages for filed and livestock workers; Comparison of the wage increases between farm workers and manufacturing workers.

The article reports that agricultural producers in Moscow, Idaho has increased their profits through embarking in specialized markets. According to University of Idaho farm researchers, the effort of agricultural producers to produce highly valued products for a particular group of consumers is the secret behind the rise of their business.