Newsletters

The Farming Advice Service produces a bi-monthly email newsletter which includes articles, practical guidance on common issues and updates on any forthcoming legislative changes.

If you would like to sign up to receive the FREE FAS newsletter via email please call 03000 200 301 or email bookings@farmingadviceservice.org.uk with 'Register for newsletter' in the subject line.

To view past editions of the Farming Advice Service newsletter, please see the links below:

Month of publication	Brief description of topics covered
November 2019	Key dates How can FAS help you? Annual sheep and goat inventory Farming rules for water - getting full value from fertilisers and soil Have you checked your Nitrate Vulnerable Zone designation recently? Sign up to FAS services
September 2019	Key dates How can FAS help you? Farming is changing: guidance published Protecting soils post-harvest Water primrose alert Legal requirements that pesticide users should be aware of Integrated pest management Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Farming rules for water - getting full value from fertilisers and soil requirements Have you checked your Nitrate Vulnerable Zone designation recently? Greening - catch and cover crop requirements Water abstraction information Sign up to FAS services
July 2019	Key dates How can FAS help you? Getting in contact with the advice line Accessing Basic Payment Scheme and cross compliance guidance Complying with the cross compliance rules Protecting your soil post-harvest Important greening reminders Don't forget, restrictions on tree and hedge-cutting are in place until September Environmental Impact Assessment Farming rules for water When did you last check to see if your land is within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone? Water abstraction information Sign up to FAS services
April 2019	Key dates How can FAS help you? Basic Payment Scheme application for 2019 Don't forget, restrictions on tree and hedge-cutting are in place until September Need to fell some trees? Branch out and try Felling Licence Online Important greening reminders Environmental Impact Assessment Nitrate Vulnerable Zone requirements Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier events to support applicants Livestock registration, identification and movements Bovine TB Advisory Service Farming rules for water Water abstraction information Sign up to FAS services
February 2019	Key dates How can FAS help you? Accessing Basic Payment Scheme and cross compliance guidance Cross compliance 2019 update FAS cross compliance webinar: avoiding common issues in 2019 Understanding who is liable for cross compliance Greening 2019 - reminder of requirements Are you complying with the farming rules for water? Legal requirements that pesticide users should be aware of Integrated pest management Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - reminders Forthcoming hedge and tree-cutting closed period - are you prepared? Silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) storage Keep up to date on public rights of way requirements Water abstraction information Sign up to FAS services
December 2018	How can FAS help you? Key dates Accessing Basic Payment Scheme and cross compliance guidance Cross compliance and greening 2019 update Annual sheep and goat inventory Water abstraction update New Authorisations (previously exempt abstraction activities) Certification requirements for pesticide users and testing of application equipment Protecting your soils post-harvest Nitrate Vulnerable Zones updates Sign up to FAS services
October 2018	There have been several new or updated Farming Advice Service (FAS) resources released during the summer that you may have missed. This special edition of the newsletter has a particular focus on these resources to help keep you up to date. It also provides the usual forthcoming key dates for cross compliance and greening.
August 2018	Key dates How can FAS help you? Livestock registration and identification New guidance released regarding the dry weather conditions Integrated pest management Greening reminders Are you complying with the farming rules for water? Don't forget the restrictions on tree and hedge-cutting rules are in place until September Buffer strip management Protecting your soils post-harvest Bovine TB Advisory Service Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Sign up to FAS services
June 2018	How can FAS help you? Key dates Are you complying with the farming rules for water? Greening 2018 Don't forget the restrictions on tree and hedge-cutting rules are in place until September Environmental Impact Assessment Protecting your soils post-harvest Water abstraction licence reminders Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) information Sign up to FAS services
March 2018	Key dates How can FAS help you? New farming rules announced that aim to protect water quality Cross compliance update - what is new for 2018? Avian influenza (bird flu) update Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2018 Requirement to inspect pesticide application equipment Greening 2018 Keeping updated on public rights of way requirements Silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil (SSAFO) storage Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) reminders Water abstraction licence reminders The Government's Water Abstraction Plan Changes to water abstraction exemptions Initial prospects for spray irrigation Sign up to FAS services
December 2017	How can FAS help you? Key dates Cross compliance 2018 Greening 2018 New farming rules announced that aim to protect water quality Annual sheep and goat inventory Water abstraction licence reminder Changes to water abstraction exemptions The Government's Water Abstraction Plan Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) reminders Sign up to FAS services
October 2017	Key dates How can FAS help you? Greening 2018 Water abstraction licence reminders Public rights of way requirements Annual sheep and goat inventory Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Sign up to FAS services
August 2017	Key dates How can FAS help you? Greening 2018 Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Keeping updated on public rights of way requirements Requirement to inspect pesticide application equipment Protecting your soils post-harvest Silage, Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO) storage Sign up to FAS services
June 2017	How can FAS help you? Key dates Cross compliance inspections How to meet the tree and hedge-cutting rules, and applying for a derogation What is meant by catch and cover crops? Buffer strip management Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Protecting your soils post-harvest Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Water abstraction licence reminders Livestock registration and identification Sign up to FAS services
April 2017	How can FAS help you? Key dates Cross compliance soil management requirements Requirement to inspect pesticide application equipment Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2017 Basic Payment Scheme update Water abstraction returns Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Environmental impact assessment Countryside Stewardship claims Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier events for applicants Greening requirements for 2017 Sign up to FAS services
February 2017	Cross compliance 2017 update Key dates Cross compliance inspections The latest measures to protect poultry and other captive birds against avian influenza (bird flu) Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2017 Anticoagulant rodenticides and biocides legislation Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Greening requirements for 2017 Silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil storage Sign up to FAS services
December 2016	Cross compliance 2017 update Key dates How can FAS help you? Greening requirements for 2017 Cross compliance soil management requirements Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders New measures to protect poultry and other captive birds against bird flu Farming Ammonia Reduction Grant scheme Annual sheep and goat inventory Top tips for livestock keepers Sign up to FAS services
November 2016	How can FAS help you? Key dates Keeping public rights of way free from obstructions Important information on greening rules Water abstraction licence expiry Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Inspection of pesticide application equipment is required from November 2016 Forthcoming FAS events Sign up to FAS services
September 2016	What is FAS? Key dates FAS has joined the Rural Services Helpline Preparing for 2017 greening calculations What is meant by EFA catch or cover crops? Less than three months left to get your pesticide application equipment inspected Choosing the right way to protect your soils post-harvest Field margin management Keeping updated on public rights of way requirements Water abstraction licence reminders Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) reminders Countryside Stewardship Forthcoming FAS events Sign up to FAS services
July 2016	What is FAS? Key dates Simplification of livestock movements Protecting your soils post-harvest Bovine TB (bTB) Cross compliance inspections Hedge and tree cutting and trimming closed period What is meant by catch and cover crops? Sheep Dip Groundwater Protection Code Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Spray equipment testing Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) reminders Abstraction licence reminders Countryside Stewardship clinics Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services
May 2016	What is FAS? Key dates Changes relating to bovine TB (bTB) Water quality Public rights of way Field margin management Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2016 Cross compliance soil management requirements Important information for those using pesticides Water abstraction - returns reminder Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Greening rules for 2016 Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services
April 2016	What is FAS? Key dates Basic Payment Scheme - update Changes relating to bovine TB (bTB) Water quality Public rights of way Field margin management Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2016 Cross compliance soil management requirements Important information for those using pesticides Water abstraction returns - reminder Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Greening rules in 2016 Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services
February 2016	What is FAS? Key dates Where to find guidance on the greening rules Cross compliance 2016 - update Tree and hedge-cutting rules for 2016 Cross compliance soil management requirements Rules for septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants Silage Slurry and Agricultural Fuel Oil (SSAFO) Storage Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Advice on the use of metaldehyde slug pellets 'Grandfather rights' rules no longer exist for professional pesticide use Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services
December 2015	What is FAS? Cross compliance 2016 - update Cross compliance soil management requirements Don't forget to complete your annual sheep & goat inventory Important information on the greening rules Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders 'Grandfather Rights' ceased in November 2015 Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
October 2015	What is FAS? Important information on the greening rules Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Abstraction licence expiry 'Grandfather Rights' will no longer exist from November 2015 Requirement to get spray equipment tested - one year to go Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
August 2015	Protecting your soils post-harvest Remember to establish your catch crops and cover crops Field Margin Management Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Public rights of way Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier Abstraction licence reminders Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
June 2015	New tree cutting and trimming rules for 2015 What is meant by catch crops and cover crops? Protecting your soils post-harvest New rules for septic tanks and small sewage treatment plants Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Integrated Pest Management - are you complying with the requirements? Animal welfare requirements under cross compliance Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
April 2015	Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) 2015 - action required Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) reminders Water abstraction returns - reminder Important information for those using pesticides Strengthened TB testing rules to be extended from 1 January 2015 - reminder Soil management requirements for 2015: important changes Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
February 2015	The latest information on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2015 Cross compliance update Farming Advice Service in 2015 Important changes to soil management requirements Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) - what you should do now Changes to Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) 7 - cattle identification and registration EIA (Agriculture) regulations Strengthened TB testing rules to be extended from 1 January 2015 - reminder Nitrate Vulnerable Zone reminders Hedgerow and tree cutting rules Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
December 2014	Farming Advice Service in 2015 Cross compliance update Important changes to soil management requirements The latest information on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Funded Training available via Defra’s National Skills Framework Forthcoming events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
November 2014	Farming Advice Service in 2015 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) update: October 2014 Soil management requirements in 2015 Changes to identification and reporting rules for sheep (and goats) from 2015 Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) grassland derogation Abstraction licence expiry Forthcoming FAS events Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
September 2014	Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) update: August 2014 Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Abstraction licence reminders Avoiding overgrazing and supplementary feeding damage of semi-natural vegetation Public rights of way Protecting your soils post-harvest Forthcoming FAS event Sign-up to FAS services Key dates
July 2014	CAP update E-reporting database for sheep (aRAMs) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Bovine electronic identification Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders FAS activity Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
April 2014	Change to FAS telephone number Single Payment Scheme (SPS) forms available for 2014 Updated guidance for SPS claimants affected by adverse weather E-reporting database for sheep (aRAMs) PLANET software update Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Soil Protection Review (SPR) - choosing the correct environmental option CAP update Water abstraction returns - reminder Farm Recovery Fund Frequently asked questions (FAQs) to the FAS helpline during March Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
February 2014	Soil Protection Review (SPR) - what will you be required to do in 2014 Strengthened TB testing Access to waterlogged land Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) reminders Water resources (control of pollution) (silage, slurry and agricultural fuel oil) (England) Regulations 2010 and as amended 2013 (SSAFO) is now part of cross compliance Reporting sheep and goat movements electronically from April 2014 Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points system (HACCP) guidance Water abstraction consultation launched Hedge laying/need for felling approval Funding Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
December 2013	Changes to Cross Compliance for 2014 Soil Protection Review (SPR) - what you will be required to do in 2014 Remember to complete your SPR for 2013 by 31 December Joint Industry and Government Slurry Management and Storage Project Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) guidance update - November 2013 Nitrate Vulnerable Zones - grassland derogation reminder Slurry storage requirements - how are your plans coming along? Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
October 2013	Soil Protection Review - what you will be required to do in 2014 Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ) - grassland derogation Slurry stores in NVZ Water abstraction - returns reminder Increasing requirement for sulphur in fertiliser programmes Defra inspection guidance Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
August 2013	Cutting farm costs by improving water efficiency Cross Compliance and game management Cross Compliance and Environmental Impact Assessment Water Framework Directive (WFD) - consultation update Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
June 2013	The Guide to Cross Compliance in England has been updated Updated nitrates regulations Improved Environment Information: Have Your Say Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
April 2013	Water abstraction licences Opportunities to partner with FAS Updated Cattle Identification Regulations Nitrate Vulnerable Zone (NVZ) record keeping - are you up to date? NVZ changes in 2013 Review of environmental advice, incentives, partnership approaches for the farming sector in England Put your tractors on a diet! Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
February 2013	Important changes to Cross Compliance for 2013 Managing and remediating damage to soil Strengthened TB cattle control measures introduced from January 2013 Slurry storage requirements - are you being compliant? Update on nitrate issues Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
December 2012	Remember to complete your Soil Protection Review (SPR) by 31 December Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) regulations review Important changes to Cross Compliance for 2013 Nitrate derogation for 2013 - Defra update Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
November 2012	Remember to update your Soil Protection Review (SPR) access to waterlogged land record Do you hold a time-limited abstraction licence? Act now to protect your right to abstract water Farming in extreme weather conditions Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
October 2012	Sheep identification and movement guidance Manure management after the exceptionally wet summer Key information about cattle identification Available nitrogen in slurry and poultry manure - why are the values in RB209 different from NVZ guidance? Forthcoming events Sign up to FAS services Key dates
July 2012	Nutrient Management: understanding your options Strengthened cattle controls to help eradicate bovine TB Proposed NVZ boundaries are now available to view from the Defra website Attending a FAS event? Sign up to FAS services Key dates
April 2012	Risk maps are not just for NVZs - GAEC 19 NVZs: Assessing compliance with NMax limits Think twice before converting permanent pasture Cross compliance failures for 2011 published Sign up to FAS services Key dates