Dr Richard Irvine, who started the role in March 2023, said an expected assessment of the bTB target next year will serve as a ‘formal checkpoint' and an opportunity to ‘take stock' on the issue

Mr Drakeford said ‘no single part of the Welsh Government can regard itself as immune', including agriculture

Agricultural support slashed as Scots Government tries to make up shortfall

The poll of over 1,000 adults in Wales, conducted by YouGov found 82 per cent support the Welsh Government providing financial support to farmers to produce food

Dairy farmer Susie Mottershead said Joyce Watson's MS comments that dairy farmers with chronic TB should find another business was a kick in the teeth. "Never have I felt the mental health of farmers be so completely disregarded. We are that chronic bTB farm," she said

NFU modelling work showed on average upland farm businesses lost 37 per cent of their support payments under the current Sustainable Farming Incentive and Countryside Stewardship options

When questioned at last weekend's English Winter Fair on whether he had wanted the role of Defra Secretary, Mr Spencer said it was not a question of ‘putting my hat in the ring'. "This was a decision for the Prime Minister," he said

The Secretary of State, Steve Barclay 'quickly' got the point that short-term tenancies are a problem when it comes to financing investment to drive productivity and participation in long-term environmental management

The Government's commitment to continue with the badger cull has been criticised by NFU as 'just warm words' which must be backed up in writing with a policy change