Food security

Farmers Guardian's online editor Emily Ashworth reflects on the importance of food security - and urges people to remember the plight of food production during World War Two

The mass lobby on November 19 is now at full capacity. Farmers who have not already registered for the event are warned not to travel down to London and told there will be another opportunity to make their voices heard

In response to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Budget which has left many small family farms feeling uncertain about their future, national agricultural publication Farmers Guardian has launched a new campaign to back Britain's family farms

Sarah Baker, AHDB head of economics, said: "These changes may encourage farmers to think about succession earlier than they would otherwise. For example, there is a seven-year rule which applies in the case of land transfers. This means that any land gifted to an individual will be free of inheritance tax after seven years."

AHDB economics and analysis director David Eudall warned the industry was at a 'tipping point of how effective the Budget can be' in balancing food security, supporting farm efficiency, and delivering environmental benefits

Dorset organic dairy farmer Sophie Gregory said she wished the report had focused more on the 'link between farming and food' and the need for food and farming on the national curriculum

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Climate Change Huw Irranca-Davies confirmed the carbon sequestration evidence panel would be reporting its findings to the ministerial roundtable 'anytime soon'

This is a joint role between the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Defra

Dorset Council said the publication of its Farm and Rural Estate Strategy, yet to be finalised and approved, could suggest the future direction of its 'specific approach' and 'future management' of the estate

The growing speculation around a cut to the agriculture budget and a potential review of APR, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said was ‘incredibly concerning’