Politics

A Conservative peer has said her colleagues in the party believe the Government’s effective ban on autumn applications of organic fertiliser is ‘politically driven’.

MPs on the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee have warned farmers are at risk of going bust during a ‘haphazard’ transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS).

The CLA has accused the Chancellor of ‘ignoring’ the countryside in the levelling up plans set out in the Budget today (October 27).

The chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee, Neil Parish, has demanded the Environment Agency (EA) review its interpretation of the Farming Rules For Water.

The CLA has accused the Chancellor of ignoring the countryside in the levelling up plans set out in the Budget today (October 27).

Accusation that there is a lack of clarity in agricultural policy direction in England may come as little surprise, but that does not make them any less concerning, especially at a time when the industry is seeking to define its future outside of Europe and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The UK has agreed the broad framework of a trade deal with New Zealand, which will open the door to beef, lamb, dairy and apple imports.

The membership of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) has been announced, even as the Government was accused of failing to uphold a key recommendation of its predecessor.

A range of farm groups have slammed the Governments net zero strategy, claiming it lacks ambition, is devoid of urgency and fails to recognise the value of agriculture in securing a low-carbon future.

Green peer Natalie Bennett has kick-started a Parliamentary battle to put soil at the heart of the Environment Bill.