Politics

Defra Secretary George Eustice has denied accusations that the Subsidy Control Act will allow the UK Government to slash direct support payments made to Scottish farmers.

Industry leaders have expressed hope that the upcoming Food Strategy will mark a ‘turning point’ in Government policy, after Ministers were reported to be considering introducing targets for domestic food production.

Sir Robert Goodwill has been elected chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, following a ballot in the House of Commons on May 25.

State-by-state trade deals with the US could be moving a step closer, after it emerged that Defra secretary George Eustice had recently visited the country to assess its farming systems.

Fears that UK farmers have once again been sidelined have grown following the announcement of a new partnership between the EU and US to tackle global food security and supply issues.

The chair of the Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC), Prof Lorand Bartels, has warned the body does not have the resources to properly scrutinise the trans-Pacific trade deal Ministers are seeking to join.

Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns has called on Ministers to establish a rural deprivation unit in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Rutland and Melton MP Alicia Kearns has called on Ministers to establish a rural deprivation unit in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

The Government must deliver an ambitious plan for the countryside if it is to win back rural voters, an industry group has claimed.

Defra has been asked by the Prime Minister to cut the number of civil servants it employs as part of a fresh efficiency drive.