Politics

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.

Welsh Government must learn lessons from the coronavirus crisis and change course on its post-Brexit agriculture policy, focusing more on food, says Rachel Lewis-Davies, NFU Cymru’s national environment and land use adviser.

The Government has announced who will sit on the Trade and Agriculture Commission, with all farming unions across the UK represented.

As the Agriculture Bill passes through the House of Lords, peers will be seeking to make changes to strengthen it in several areas, says Baroness McIntosh.

As an Irish farmer, it is disappointing to see my UK counterparts are unwilling to get out on the streets to protest to protect food production standards, says County Meath beef farmer Eamon Cassells.

The UK’s relationship with the EU is the most important one for the farming industry, but it’s amazing how many people forget that, says Oliver Dowding, arable farmer and agricultural spokesman for the Green Party in the south west.

The poorest households in the UK are the least likely to want low standard food to be available as a result of new trade deals, research by Which? has found.

Aldi has become the latest retailer to vow ‘never’ to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-injected beef, as part of its commitment to upholding the UK’s high food standards.

Farm groups have claimed the Chancellor’s pledge to reduce VAT by 15 per cent for the tourism sector will see agritourism ‘fight back’ post Covid-19.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) ‘stands ready’ to assess the safety risk of chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef, its chief executive Emily Miles has said.