Ministers approve AHDB levy rise - what does it mean for farmers?

The Government has also agreed that Nicholas Saphir will serve a further 12 months as AHDB chair

Alex Black
clock • 2 min read
Ministers approve AHDB levy rise - what does it mean for farmers?

Rates will rise for farmers in the beef and lamb, cereals and oilseeds, dairy and pork sectors.

The new rates will be implemented from April 2024 which AHDB said would allow it to maintain its focus on delivering the objectives set out in the sector plans, published in November 2022.

There have been no increases to the levy in the beef and lamb and cereals and oilseeds sectors for more than 10 years, and no change in over 20 years for dairy and pork. The spending power of levy funds over the past decade has been reduced by up to 40 per cent.

LISTEN: The Farmers Guardian podcast: AHDB levy rises

AHDB chair Nicholas Saphir said: "We are pleased Ministers have approved the proposals, which will ensure the levy continues to support the work AHDB has committed to prioritising for farmers and processors across all the sectors we serve.

"The new rates will allow us to enhance our key activity whether, for example, that involves growing export opportunities or exploring further marketing campaigns in the beef and lamb, dairy and pork sectors as well as increasing our research offering to cereals and oilseeds producers.

"Levy payers can be assured that our commitment to helping them navigate through an unprecedented period of change for the industry is secure and we will continue to listen to their feedback to ensure we are delivering real value for money."

READ ALSO: Welsh new entrants set up successful meat box enterprise 

The Government has also agreed that Nicholas Saphir will serve a further 12 months as AHDB chair.

The extension to Mr Saphir's appointment means he will remain in the role until 31 March 2025.

Approved changes to levy rates from April 2024

  • Beef and Lamb

Cattle (excluding Calves) Calves

Producer - £4.05 to £5.06/head of cattle

Slaughterer/Exporter - £1.35 to £1.69/head

Calves

Producer - £0.08 to £0.10/head

Slaughterer/Exporter - £0.08 to £0.10/head

  • Lamb

Producer - £0.60 to £0.75/head of sheep

Slaughterer/Exporter - £0.20 to £0.25/head of sheep

  • Cereals and Oilseeds

Cereal grower - 46.00p/tonne to 58p/t

Cereal buyer - 3.80p/t to 4.80p/t

Cereal processor (human/industrial) - 9.50p/t to 12p/t

Cereal processor (feed) - 4.60p/t to 5.80p/t

Oilseeds - 75p/t to 94p/t

  • Dairy

Dairy farmer - 0.06ppl to 0.08ppl

  • Pork

Pig producer - £0.85 to £1.02

Pig processor - £0.20 to £0.24

2013 COUSINS CAMBRIDGE ROLLS

2013 COUSINS CAMBRIDGE ROLLS

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

2019 Kuhn Vari-Master

2019 Kuhn Vari-Master

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

AMAZONE NEW Cayros XM5-950

AMAZONE NEW Cayros XM5-950

VIEW ADVERT
£POA

More on Farm Business

Farmers want to see 'fundamental change' from Red Tractor

Farmers want to see 'fundamental change' from Red Tractor

Many farmers want to see a ‘fundamental change' in Red Tractor and will be ‘suspicious' of the assurance body's attempt of ‘papering over the cracks' with enhanced communication efforts

clock 01 November 2024 • 2 min read
Red Tractor chief executive calls out assurance critics

Red Tractor chief executive calls out assurance critics

Red Tractor chief executive Jim Moseley told researchers at the Social Market Foundation they ‘should leave their desks' and join him at an assured farm ‘to see how the scheme really works' and the hard work the UK's farming community puts in

clock 01 November 2024 • 2 min read
Latest milk prices for dairy farmers

Latest milk prices for dairy farmers

First Milk December milk price to increase by 1.5ppl while Arla announces November rise

clock 31 October 2024 • 18 min read