Politics

Farmers have learned more than they ever wanted to know about trade and international treaties since Brexit, and it should not be too much to ask for those who govern us to do the same, says Dr Nick Fenwick, FUW’s head of policy.

Asking farmers to build on their progress and go even further to protect the countryside is the right thing to do, but they must be given as much support as possible from Government to get the job done, says High Peak MP Robert Largan.

Sterling continues its Brexit-inspired rollercoaster ride, with a further drop in value early this week, as talks between the UK and EU became increasingly fraught.

The new trade deal agreed with Japan has been hailed as ‘potentially a great boost’ for UK food and farming products.

The UK’s ‘Climate Assembly’ has said supporting farmers on their net zero journey should be the number one consideration of Government as it puts together its climate change policy.

Several major foodservice and hospitality brands have vowed not to import US meat unless it is produced to the UK’s standards, a new Footprint investigation has found.

The NFU has hit back at Defra Secretary George Eustice’s claim that a no-deal Brexit will be a ‘good outcome’ for the UK.

Backing British farming is a verb – not a day for passive praise or casual thanks. MPs must prove they back British farmers all year round, says Labour’s Shadow Defra Secretary Luke Pollard.

Defra is planning to introduce a new ‘stepping stone’ scheme to bridge the gap between BPS and ELMs, but it should not weaken the resolve to introduce a long-term policy, or delay the timetable, says Vicki Hird, head of sustainable farming at Sustain.

Defra is planning a new ‘stepping stone’ scheme to bridge the gap between the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme.