Labour Government

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

Laura Greenman, of HCR Law, said: "While the Framework focuses on planning, energy and infrastructure, little consideration has been given to food security"

Farmer Richard Watts said: "Rising costs in wages, National Insurance, and energy are putting immense pressure on small and family-run farms"

In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown unpicks the Chancellor's Spring Statement after she stood firm on the family farm tax, Defra Secretary has only visited 4 farms since Labour's General Election, with his ministers for flood and nature not visiting any, and livestock farmers are being encouraged to sign up for free vet visits through the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) before the service’s funding ends

While Ms Reeves was quick to quell any rumoured tax rises, she did not back down on the measures introduced in the Autumn Budget, including the family farm tax

Reaction to Chancellor Rachel Reeves' Spring Statement

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

It has been rumoured Defra's budget could be on the ‘chopping block' in the Comprehensive Spending Review

Jason Hollands, of wealth management firm Evelyn Partner, said another area that could be subject to an 'overhaul' was the lifetime gifting regime

The Tenant Farmers Association has asked Defra to provide details of the number of 'in-flight' SFI applications on the RPA system before the scheme was closed