Farm Business

Government inaction on sheep worrying is ‘undermining and contradicting’ its own animal health and welfare strategy and leaving farmers and their flocks powerless against dog attacks.

Farming organisations have congratulated Humza Yousaf on winning the Scottish leadership election race to become Scotland’s new First Minister.

IN the second part of his report from a recent AHDB-led export mission to the USA, Ben Briggs assesses the opportunities afforded by the country’s vast food retail scene and also learns about plans to host a large delegation of foreign meat buyers at this year’s Great Yorkshire Show.

The Government has announced that it will retain the cut-off date for registering historic rights of way, reflecting the original intention of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 (CROW).

While food and farming in general may have been absent from Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Budget speech last week, the news that the scope of inheritance tax agricultural property relief was to be considered could have a significant bearing on the future of many farm businesses.

The countryside is battling a ‘hidden homelessness and poverty’ emergency driven by soaring house prices, the cost-of-living crisis and a ‘gaping shortfall’ in Government funding, a new report has revealed.

MPS have voted to back the Stormont Brake section of the new Windsor Framework, which aims to ease trade between Northern Ireland and the UK.

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has welcomed the publication of new HMRC trade statistics showing overseas exports of Scottish food and drink were worth £8.1 billion in 2022 – the highest figure on record.

With calls for Scottish Government to provide more support to farmers facing soaring costs, Ewan Pate spoke to farmers on Westray about their fears for the future.

Businesses need to have a plan to prosper through the period of change to Scottish farm support, with inflation eroding support payments in real terms across the UK.