Defra

The future of farm support in England has been plunged into uncertainty once more, as Defra appeared to tear up its Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme plans.

New Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been urged to protect farm budgets, with big spending cuts expected to be made over the coming months.

Defra has been urged to publish its modelling on how the withdrawal of direct payments will affect farms in the uplands.

New Defra Secretary Ranil Jayawardena has identified the Gulf, India and South East Asia as export markets which will provide farmers with a greater return for British meat.

MPs have moved to offer farms legal protection from disruptive protestors.

The National Pig Association is urging the Government to introduce essential reforms across the pork supply chain to avert the collapse of the industry and protect the UK’s food security.

The Government has announced all bird keepers in England, Scotland and Wales must implement strict biosecurity measures to stop Avian Influenza (AI) spreading. 

Livestock groups have moved to block an imminent rule change that will have a ‘massive impact’ on exports, it has been revealed.

Industry chiefs have urged Defra to consider expanding regional housing measures on a national basis to protect birds from Avian Influenza (AI). By Hannah Binns and Jane Thynne.

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Ranil Jayawardena has been accused of giving up on family horticulture farms, as he flew to the Netherlands to look at glasshouse technology to boost home grown fruit and vegetable production.