AN Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) proposal to freeze levy rates for the second year running has been approved by UK Ministers.
The decision to hold 2014-15 levy rates for all industry sectors at the same level as last year was one of the recommendations made by the levy board in its 2014/17 Corporate Plan.
Tom Taylor, AHDB chief executive, said: “The decision not to change levy rates reflects industry concerns caused by one of the most difficult years for farming in over a decade.”
The forecast total net levy for 2014/15 amounts to just over £56m and is supplemented with grants and other income forecast to be in the region of £2.8m. The funds raised from each commodity sector are ring-fenced to ensure they are used to the benefit of the sectors from which they were raised.
The forecast net levy income for 2014/15 are: pigs in England, £8.825m; beef & lamb in England, £15.160m; milk in Great Britain, £6.920m; horticulture in Great Britain, £7.850m; cereals and oilseeds in UK, £11.609m; potatoes in Great Britain, £6.202m; grants and other income, £2.839m. Total net income, £59.405m.
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