Politics

Confidence must be restored in Welsh Government’s ability to support rural communities in the post-EU era after it incurred fines for mishandling funds, says Llyr Gruffydd, North Wales MS and Plaid Cymru Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs.

The Government’s decision to set up a Trade Commission should have cooled down the debate on food standards, but instead it has heated it up, says Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City, University of London and author of Feeding Britain.

Farmers should not worry about Brexit, but the coronavirus, which could kill off many small agricultural shows and sever the rural community’s links with wider society, says Dave Herbert, a South Welsh smallholder producing eggs and poultry.

As the UK prepares to sign trade deals with several countries, including the USA, concerns have grown that the food service sector may move to take advantage of low standard imports in future. Abi Kay reports.  

Defra Secretary George Eustice has reinforced food production will be central to future agricultural policy, in a virtual address at the Great Yorkshire Show (GYS).

The independence of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission has been questioned as Farmers Guardian revealed its press operation will be carried out by officials at the Department for International Trade (DIT).

Scottish and UK Ministers have locked horns in a bitter battle over the future protection of food standards.

Only 3 per cent of farmers trust the Government to invest enough money in nature-friendly farming after the coronavirus pandemic, new research has shown.

Industry leaders have reacted angrily to comments from the new Trade and Agriculture Commission chairman, who called for an end to the ‘alarmism’ around chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef on his first day in post.

UK farmers do not need a comprehensive trade deal with the US to capitalise on American opportunities, NFU international trade director Nick von Westenholz has said.