The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Prime Minister speaks to agriculture students at Writtle University College

Rishi Sunak joined engineering apprentices for a lesson on tractor maintenance and saw a flock of New Zealand Romneys

Alex Black
Deputy Editor
clock • 1 min read
Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street
Image:

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke to student studying land-based courses at Writtle University College (WUC) in Essex today.

He joined engineering apprentices for a lesson on tractor maintenance, before talking to university students studying agriculture and animal science degrees.

Prime Minister

Director of higher education, Caroline Flanagan, said: "We were delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to WUC.

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

"We have been teaching land-based courses for 130 years and we are proud to introduce the next generation to a rewarding, fast-moving industry which draws upon exciting scientific advancements, and which has a huge part to play in delivering environmental sustainability."

See also: Sunak rules out meat tax as part of new green agenda

Apprentices in land-based service engineering spoke to the PM about their hands-on workshop, while demonstrating their understanding of agricultural machinery.

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street

Students also showcased a flock of New Zealand Romneys and shared their enthusiasm for WUC's work in regenerative agriculture.

More on Politics

'Wild west' cattle cull review exposes serious failures by DAERA, says UFU

'Wild west' cattle cull review exposes serious failures by DAERA, says UFU

An independent review into the controversial slaughter of 51 cattle near Fivemiletownby by DAERA officials has been published

Mia Willemsen
clock 11 November 2026 • 4 min read
Defra's badger vaccination initiative expands to three new areas

Defra's badger vaccination initiative expands to three new areas

The project will begin vaccinating badgers in selected parts of Staffordshire, North Oxfordshire and Devon

Rachael Brown
clock 10 November 2026 • 3 min read
Property Income Tax could deepen Scotland's rural housing crisis

Property Income Tax could deepen Scotland's rural housing crisis

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) has issued a stark warning to Scottish Government after changes in the UK Budget

Alex Black
clock 08 November 2026 • 2 min read