The UK's Premier Agricultural Machinery and Technology Show

20–21 January 2027, NEC, Birmingham

Event Details

Farmers have 'little confidence' in Gov's ability to keep animal diseases at bay

With foot-and-mouth disease cases confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia over recent months, Defra has been urged to decisively strengthen the UK's border security

Chris Brayford
clock • 7 min read
"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."
Image:

"Laboratory facilities are underfunded and poorly maintained, reducing the UK's ability to rapidly test and diagnose exotic diseases. If these issues are not addressed immediately, the UK will find itself catastrophically unprepared for an African swine fever or foot-and-mouth outbreak."

Border security Red meat producers have urged the Government to do all in its power to improve border security controls in the UK following the detection of foot-and-mouth and African swine fever in...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

Login

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

 

More on Politics

Former Defra Secretary under fire over working people remark

Former Defra Secretary under fire over working people remark

The former Defra Secretary and now Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Emma Reynolds said employers were not working people and were companies instead

Rachael Brown
clock 02 November 2026 • 2 min read
Farmers need more than short term relief, says Labour MP

Farmers need more than short term relief, says Labour MP

Labour MP for South Norfolk Ben Goldsborough welcomed support in the Budget for rural households, but he said we must go 'further' to make British farming profitable

Rachael Brown
clock 30 October 2026 • 2 min read
Defra commits to addressing commons and upland issues

Defra commits to addressing commons and upland issues

Tenant Farmers Association has urged RPA and Defra to better financially support common and upland farmers who are currently frozen out of new agreements or stuck in existing ones

Rachael Brown
clock 29 October 2026 • 1 min read