Politics

From the editor: Swathes of the industry rightly angered by Eustice's Brexit fix

Livestock

From the editor: Swathes of the industry rightly angered by Eustice's Brexit fix

Picture the scene. It is the end of 2021 and there has been a no-deal Brexit, while Basic Payments have also started to reduce in line with Government plans to move towards a more environmentally-based farming support structure.

clock 20 November 2020 • 2 min read
Nothing ought to be higher on the Government's priority list than food defence

Arable

Nothing ought to be higher on the Government's priority list than food defence

Food defence ought to be number one on the Government’s priority list during this pandemic, but the new Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution does not even include agri-food, says Tim Lang, professor of food policy at City, University of London.

clock 20 November 2020 • 4 min read
Post-Covid, Welsh Government must surely define food production as a public good

Arable

Post-Covid, Welsh Government must surely define food production as a public good

If the past few months have taught us anything, it’s that the safe, reliable supply of sustainable food is important to the public. Welsh Government would be wise to recognise food production as a public good, says NFU Cymru president John Davies.

clock 20 November 2020 • 4 min read
Wales sees fall in new TB incidents and herd incidence dropping

Livestock

Wales sees fall in new TB incidents and herd incidence dropping

Farm groups have welcomed the ‘positive’ news that new TB incidents across Wales have dropped by 10 per cent in the 12 months to August 2020.

clock 19 November 2020 • 3 min read
Welsh vets responsible for TB testing face move to ports to deal with Brexit issues

Livestock

Welsh vets responsible for TB testing face move to ports to deal with Brexit issues

Welsh vets responsible for TB testing face being moved to ports such as Holyhead to deal with Brexit issues after January 1, presenting major concerns for animal health.

clock 19 November 2020 • 2 min read
Ewing says Scottish farmers should keep direct payments after Brexit

Arable

Ewing says Scottish farmers should keep direct payments after Brexit

Scottish farmers look set to keep some form of direct payment beyond 2024, after Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing mounted a passionate defence of income support at the virtual AgriScot conference.

clock 18 November 2020 • 2 min read
'Quite frankly a laughable response' - George Eustice suggests sheep farmers diversify into beef in a no deal scenario

Livestock

'Quite frankly a laughable response' - George Eustice suggests sheep farmers diversify into beef in a no deal scenario

The Environment Secretary also said Arla could relocate the manufacturing of Lurpak to the UK

clock 16 November 2020 • 8 min read
Food system change will make some farmers 'quite large losers'

Farm Business

Food system change will make some farmers 'quite large losers'

A Financial Times Global Food Systems Summit heard how changes to agricultural policy will disrupt the status quo and an MP admitted she was wrong to call for a meat tax to curb red meat consumption. Abi Kay reports.

clock 14 November 2020 • 2 min read
Biden presidency will not end trade wars affecting agriculture

Arable

Biden presidency will not end trade wars affecting agriculture

After one of the most tumultuous US elections in decades, Alex Black asks what what impact President Elect Joe Biden could have on US agriculture and a US/UK trade deal

clock 13 November 2020 • 4 min read
Just-in-time food supply chains won't survive being thrown in at the Brexit deep end

Livestock

Just-in-time food supply chains won't survive being thrown in at the Brexit deep end

The UK is not as ready as it should be for the end of the Brexit transition, and it’s hard to see how the current lean, just-in-time meat and dairy supply chains will survive, says Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation.

clock 13 November 2020 • 5 min read