Environment

New UK group will oversee multi-million planting and peatland restoration schemes

NSA chief executive Phil Stocker said there are sheep farmers who have 'wholeheartedly thrown themselves into the SFI pilot', whose agreements have now ended with no certainty over continuation into SFI and fears over budget cutbacks

Cuts to the agriculture budget could lead to a ‘nature and climate catastrophe’

Responding to Defra putting on hold 76 capital grant items, NFU deputy president David Exwood said: "The messaging of this is confusing – farmers and growers are being asked to adopt measures to improve the environment but have been left in the lurch without access to the key grant schemes which will enable them to do this"

The Sturdy family are waiting to hear the outcome of an appeal hearing which could result in around half of their arable farm being taken out of production for a solar farm. The Sturdy family's landlord is the FitzWilliam Trust Corporation. Ms Sturdy has claimed that one of its six trustees, Lady Helena Rees-Mogg, is the wife of Sir Jacob

The NFU has expressed ‘extreme concern' to reports the scheme is now unlikely to open until mid-2025

Former DEFRA Environment Minister Rebecca Pow highlights the value of family farms for Farmers Guardian's Save Britain's Family Farms campaign

The committee said it wanted to ensure it is hearing from people and organisations that are affected by Defra's responsibilities

Bill Young brings 'extensive experience' in agricultural quality assurance, having previously held leadership roles at NSF and SAI Global