Defra

Industry chiefs have urged Defra to consider expanding regional housing measures on a national basis to reflect any increases of risk for Avian Influenza (AI). 

Some retailers have been threatening growers with delisting for requesting cost price increases, Farmers Guardian has learned.

The new Defra Farming Minister, Mark Spencer, has hinted that a rethink on the phase out of badger culling could be on the way.

The farming industry has been urged to ‘keep the pressure on’ Government to negotiate trade deals which work for UK agriculture, amid concerns about the new Defra Secretary’s stance.

Farming Minister Mark Spencer has said he will push for small abattoirs to be able to benefit from earned recognition in order to reduce veterinary presence.

Concerns have been raised about the availability and cost of forage after organic dairy producers were offered a derogation by Defra to use conventional forage.

People living in rural areas are under-represented compared to their urban counterparts, according to a leading Labour activist.

Defra has pledged to keep the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme in place, despite a commitment from the new ministerial team to a rapid review of farm support.

Defra’s consultation into pig sector contracts fails to cover the wider supply chain, giving the department ‘insufficient information’ to base decisions on, industry chiefs have warned.

As feed and other input costs continue remain high, Cedric Porter takes a look at the impact on the pig and poultry sector.