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Presents a directory of establishments, organizations, agencies, events and services related to agriculture for 2004. Agricultural Credit Corp. in London, England; National Association of Agricultural Contractors in Petersborough, England; British Pig and Poultry Fair in Warwickshire, England.

Focuses on the increase in sale of tractors and farm machinery in France in 2004, according to Jean-Paul Papillon of the French Farm Machinery Association SYGMA. Opinion of Papillon on the increase; Projected tractor sales in 2005. INSET: All systems go for Dorado.

Reports on the effect of the passage of the Energy Bill on the British biofuels market in 2004. Requirement for oil companies to source a proportion of fuels sales from renewables in the form of biofuels; Persuasion of the government to implement the legislation so that feedstocks will be sourced predominantly from farms.

Reports on the leakage of the documents written by the Great Britain Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) veterinarian responsible for checking the farm where the first outbreak of the foot-and-mouth disease occurred in 2001. Failure to inspect the swill feeding unit of pig producer Bobby Waugh before the disease was introduced to his farm; Views of former Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and former MAFF veterinarian on his failure to conduct a rigorous inspection to the farm; Statement issued by a DEFRA spokesman regarding the issue.

Discusses the benefits of the environment and farmers from fuel crops in Great Britain. Views of director of BP Oil UK John Mumford on the advantages of fuel crops; Estimated market for the rapeseed oil; Campaign conducted for the promotion of fuel crops in Great Britain.

Reports on the results of a biofuels campaign launched by "Farmers Weekly" magazine in Great Britain. Views of government officials on a proposal for a Renewable Road Transport Fuel Obligation; Background on biofuels.

Reports on the opportunity facing farmers from an amendment to the Energy Bill which could guarantee a new multi-million pound market for British fuel crops. Option of farmers in lobbying for the bill; Provisions of the bill on biofuels; Comments from Peter Cley, chairman of the British Association of Biofuels and Oils; Goals of the European Union for biofuel use.

The article considers ring rot as a possible threat to the potato industry in Great Britain. Ring rot is a potato disease that is creeping across Europe. The author argues that scare stories on the outbreak of this disease must be kept in perspective. In contrast to media reports, the author thinks that there is no reason for this disease to decimate the potato industry. He adds that the publicity alerts should only serve as a warning for the industry and complacent consumers.

Reports on the changes at National Farmers' Union (NFU) in Great Britain. Potential sites for NFU premises; Replacement of individual committees with national commodity boards; Statement issued by director Martin Haworth on the union's election policy.

This article reports on the farm burial proposals given by DEFRA as of April 11, 2003. Its draft proposals suggest £10m/year of government money for the next three years for a national collection scheme. DEFRA is planning to organize a national collection scheme for the deadstock disposal. Although it insists farmers should respect the burial ban, it has also promised to be lenient in its interpretation of the law. The department ha threatened to withhold all funding if less than 50% of livestock producers in the Great Britain back its proposals.

Presents news briefs related to the agriculture industry of Great Britain as of April 1, 2003. Problems faced by the biofuel producing farmers in Great Britain; Benefits of the merger of Arla and Express Diaries for farmers; Drawbacks of the agrochemical peroxyacetic acid used by some farmers to clean seed planting.

Managing change in the British countryside is the theme of this year's Royal Agricultural College conference and Bledisloe Lecture as of April 04, 2003. The event, on Tuesday, April 29, 2003 is supported by Great Britain-based periodical 'Farmers Weekly,' and dedicated to the reopening of the college's famous Boutflour Hall. Speakers will examine how farmers can respond to the challenge of farming profitably in the 21st century.

Forecasts an increase in farmers' incomes by 8.5% in real terms within six years from March 2003. Percentage rise in beef prices by 2009; Impact of reforms on farmers.

Focuses on the failure of the Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs to confirm details for burial of livestock on farms in Great Britain. Impact of European Union rules on farming and stocks in the country; Problems regarding disposal of carcasses in Great Britain; Campaign Mayday for Fallen Stock to persuade DEFRA for solution of the problem.

Reports on the feasibility of British farmers making a bid for all or part of the Safeway supermarket chain, being considered by the National Farmers Union. Challenges faced by British farmers.

Provides information on the expected economic problems of the farm machinery industry in Great Britain. Effect of increased demand for livestock during the first half of 2002 on the industry; Outlook on the number of high capacity machines including tractors to be sold in 2002; Benefits of the compensation received by farmers after the foot and mouth disease crisis.

Describes the views of British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary Margaret Beckett toward a farm bill proposed by the U.S. to the World Trade Organization. Implication of the bill to the European Union; Benefit of the bill to British farmers.

Reports on the warning issued by Richard Burge, chief executive of Countryside Alliance on the potential effects of the British government's focus on hunting with dogs. Other important issues faced by the parliament; Efforts of the Members of the Parliament to attract votes from towns and cities; Effects of hunting on rural economy.

Profiles James Coleman, recipient of the National Farmers' Union Young Farmer of the Year award for 2002 in Devon, England. Factors that contributed to the success of his Creedy Carver Ducks farm; Emphasis of the farm venture; Expansion plans of Coleman.

Provides information on a campaign by periodical 'Farmers Weekly' to force the British government to hold a public inquiry on the foot-and-mouth disease. Measures taken by the British government to address the issue; Advantages of holding a public inquiry; Other British periodicals supporting the campaign.