trade

The Government has made a number of important announcements affecting farming in recent months. Abi Kay speaks to Defra Secretary George Eustice to get the inside track on the latest developments.

When it comes to trade, the Kiwis know their onions. That much is clear from the news that the New Zealand Government is quickly moving to capitalise on its trade deal with the UK, which will remove all tariffs on this staple vegetable from the first day it comes into force.

Thousands of pigs have been unnecessarily culled because exporting to the EU has become too expensive and difficult since the end of the Brexit transition period, industry leaders have warned.

Thousands of pigs have been ‘unnecessarily culled’ because exporting to the EU has become too expensive and difficult since the end of the Brexit transition period, industry leaders have warned.

Farm groups have expressed concern about the ongoing UK-EU row over Northern Ireland, which risks putting a calamitous no-deal Brexit scenario back on the table.

Farm groups have expressed concern about the ongoing UK-EU row over Northern Ireland, which risks putting a ‘calamitous’ no-deal Brexit scenario back on the table.

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis has said the Government will not accept a key recommendation from Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy to protect standards in trade deals.

Accusation that there is a lack of clarity in agricultural policy direction in England may come as little surprise, but that does not make them any less concerning, especially at a time when the industry is seeking to define its future outside of Europe and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The UK has agreed the broad framework of a trade deal with New Zealand, which will open the door to beef, lamb, dairy and apple imports.

The membership of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) has been announced, even as the Government was accused of failing to uphold a key recommendation of its predecessor.