UK agriculture must turn the net zero conundrum on its head and ‘see its current liabilities as assets’, the 2021 Nuffield Conference heard.

With major farming policy changes in Wales set for next year there was one clear message emerging from this week’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair – sustainability.

Rural communities have been some of the hardest hit by Storm Arwen, with fallen trees, debris and snow making roads impassable and freezing temperatures adding to treacherous conditions.

Research centres across the UK are reporting encouraging results from trials which they hope will bring solutions to farming’s most pressing problems.

Improving the efficiencies of agricultural operations through technology can help save farmers money in the long-term and improve their environmental credentials. 

Millions of pounds are being pumped into Britain’s agritech sector each year, yet the public believes the farming industry is ’old fashioned’ and could make more use of technology, a new survey has revealed.

Despite various support schemes having now coming into play, pig producers will remain ‘in limbo’ until butchers drafted in from overseas hit abattoir floors.

High standards and regulations are major factors behind consumers’ trust in British food, with the sector ranking as high as the NHS in terms of trustworthiness.

Industry chiefs have been left incensed at calls to increase wages and conditions to alleviate the crisis gripping all corners of the agricultural sector.