trade

A Food Commission made up of industry professionals could make a valuable contribution to the UK’s post-Brexit trade talks, a leading expert has said.

Beef from the UK could soon be heading to America after Government officials agreed the next step of an export deal worth about £66 million, over the first five years.

US trade gains in 2019 and prospects for US-UK trade negotiations were outlined at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) annual Outlook Forum held in Arlington, Virginia writes John Wilkes.

The UK’s food security could be put at risk if all lower standard imports are banned from entering the country, new Farming Minister Victoria Prentis has said.

The Government’s post-Brexit agriculture reforms provide an opportunity for farms to become more prosperous, but those who resist the push to become ‘park keepers’ risk being the first to go out of business, says independent consultant Derrick Wilkinson.

The Agriculture Bill has potential to deliver for the environment, but the Government’s insistence on penny pinching during the transition period is likely to drive the farmers needed to implement the policy out of business, says Tim Farron MP, Lib Dem farming spokesman.

Labour has not always done the best job of speaking for the countryside, but farmers need us to raise their concerns now more than ever, because uber-loyal Tories afraid of Number 10 won’t, says Shadow Defra Secretary Luke Pollard.

A new record of 1,700 for a Dalesbred female was set at the Dalesbred Sheep Breeders’ Association show and sale held at Bentham for a two-shear ewe, shown by Colin and Alan Price, Longlands.

The economic impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus has hit markets across the world, although some restrictions in China have been eased.

Heifers led the way at Leyburn’s spring spectacular with Garrowby Farms, Bugthorpe, taking home the championship, under judge Elizabeth Vance, Newton Stewart, with a Limousin heifer.