Politics

Former Defra Secretary Liz Truss has won the Conservative leadership election with 81,326 votes, making her the new Prime Minister.

Planting more trees and woodlands is a key part of the Government’s plan to level up the rural economy and deliver for nature, people and jobs, according to Defra.

The Government has pledged more than £100m to help level up rural communities and businesses, it has been announced.

Farm groups have blasted campaigners who have launched a legal challenge against the Government, claiming it has failed to act quickly enough to cut emissions from livestock and dairy.

Scottish correspondent Ewan Pate explains why, despite endless consultation with farmers, many fear future policy in Holyrood will be centred upon cutting livestock numbers.

The future of farming and food security must be ‘at the forefront’ of the agenda for any newly-established Defra team after the Conservative leadership election, the National Sheep Association (NSA) has said.

Conservative leadership hopeful Liz Truss has said she will not introduce a Soviet-style food self-sufficiency target as called for by the NFU if she wins the election next week.

Conservative leadership hopeful Liz Truss has said she will not introduce a ‘Soviet-style’ food self-sufficiency target as called for by the NFU if she wins the election next week.

The Government has introduced controls on the movement of pork and pork products into Great Britain in a bid to protect the domestic pig herd from African swine fever (ASF).

Campaigners in Wales are celebrating after receiving assurances that food will continue to be produced on farmland bought by the Welsh Government for tree planting.