Farm Business

National Sheep Association chief executive Phil Stocker has welcomed the announcement of a General Election after months of speculation

Strategy director at IMTA, Katrina Walsh, said members of the group will be keenly waiting to see how political parties will support the meat trade industry

Commissioners include Dr Llewellyn, the former vice-chancellor of Harper Adams University, James Withers, ex chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, Mark Suthern, the chair of Trustees of the Farming Community Network, and a fourth Commissioner whose appointment is in progress

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said the party which can convince the rural electorate that it shares their values, and most importantly their priorities, will go a long way to winning an 'epoch defining election'

It includes a 2 metre buffer strip and a hedgerow cutting ban from March 1 to August 31

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: "If the next Government gets it right then this huge sector can grow"

Speaking at the Pig and Poultry fair Red Tractor's head of operations, Philippa Wiltshire, stressed lessons were being learned, especially in areas important to farmers — ‘value, audit efficiency and transparency'

This week from Alex Black, Farmers Guardian's head of news and business

What have leaders of political parties in Scotland made to the Prime Minister's announcement to call a General Election on July 4?

Liberal Democrats said they would increase the farming budget by £1 billion a year to support nature-friendly farming and bring down food prices