daniel zeichner

Minister defends Labour's agricultural policies as he faces bruising first Efra Committee appearance

Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner will be probed about the early closure of SFI and Defra's communication with the industry on key changes to farming policy

The Government has imposed livestock bans on Germany, Hungary, Slovakia and now Austria

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown looks back at the top news stories of the week, including the Chancellor's Spring Statement, the Defra Secretary facing criticism for visiting only four farms since Labour's General Election win, concerns around the end of funding for Producer Organisations within the soft fruit sector, and King Charles and the Prince of Wales out and about supporting British farming. She also looks ahead to next week, when the Farming Minister will make his first appearance before the Efra Committee to answer questions on the SFI suspension and ongoing industry concerns

In the more than eight months since Labour won the election, the Defra Secretary has visited four farm businesses

Defra said the Food Strategy Advisory Board was the 'first step in a wider engagement strategy'

On today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown gives the latest on the first case of avian flu found in a single sheep in Yorkshire, the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia – where the disease has been found on three separate farms, and the Tenant Farmers Association's call on Defra to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

Slovakia has joined Germany and Hungary in losing its foot-and-mouth free status

Labour has announced plans to launch its a Food Strategy Advisory Board next week with the aim of building a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system in the UK

National Sheep Association (NSA) chief executive Phil Stocker shares his thoughts following a meeting on March 17 with Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner and other industry leaders to discuss the closure of SFI