Funding

Farmers will need a serious cash injection from the Government if they are to survive this pandemic, then Brexit, says Deirdre Brock, SNP rural affairs spokesman in Westminster.

The Government is being urged to protect agriculture and environment budgets over the coming years, with spiralling spending on the coronavirus pandemic prompting fears of a new round of austerity.

The NFU has called on the Government to provide a BPS 2020 ‘payment guarantee’ to help farmers struggling with cashflow issues due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With the UK under lockdown as the coronavirus pandemic continues, Parliament is moving to carry out its work remotely. But what does this mean for farming legislation? Abi Kay explores.

There are only a few months left until the Mid-Tier Countryside Stewardship application window closes on 31 July 2020.  Countryside Stewardship agreements will continue to be offered in 2022 and 2023, until the new Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS) is introduced in 2024.

A farmer has raised over £32,000 for the NHS, after being inspired to walk 91 laps around his home by an army veteran’s fundraising efforts.

Scotland’s finance secretary Kate Forbes has announced a further £220m of grants for businesses, including the recently self-employed, to help them deal with the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has called on the UK Government to take advantage of any EU cash made available to support farmers through the coronavirus crisis.

Agricultural charities have adopted new strategies to support farmers in the face of unprecedented challenges presented by the Covid-19 crisis.

With changing support structures for farmers and concerns over food standards in post-Brexit trade deals presenting unprecedented challenges for Number 10, has the Government delivered on its promises for UK farming?