Ukraine

This week from the Farmers Guardian editor Katie Jones

Former Defra Secretary George Eustice draws on his experience of dealing with price shocks during war in Ukraine to offer some long-term solutions which could help UK farmers contending with challenges from war in the Middle East

UK growers are under renewed pressure from conflict in the Middle East, and all at a time when margins were already under significant strain

Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds has called for calm as conflict in the Middle East begins to take a stranglehold on farm businesses in the UK. She said food supply is stable and added the Gov is working to ensure there is no 'market abuse' of fertiliser prices

Shell Shocked study urges Gov to rethink policy and strengthen border security to protect industry and consumers

The widening conflict in the Gulf region continues to push up the prices of key input prices, with more limited increases in commodity values

A significant increase in Ukrainian egg imports has prompted a joint letter from industry bodies stressing the need for imported egg products to meet welfare and production standards equivalent to those required of UK producers

The BEIC said increased reliance on foreign produce could lead to a surge in food safety incidents following those linked to Polish eggs last year

Sunflower production was also expected to contract in the EU

Farmers have called on Government to recognise that funding on the nation's defence must also include strengthening food security