Politics News

Following weeks of mounting concern and frustration, pig farmers have taken to the streets to protest, gathering outside the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester on 4th October to highlight the current sector crisis.

The NFU is calling for an urgent review of Defra’s future farming programme for England, including the postponement of Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) reductions in 2022 and 2023, as farmers and growers continue to deal with multiple challenges which are causing severe disruptions to essential food producing businesses.

A new programme from the Prince’s Countryside Fund promises to help farmers understand the policy changes that will affect the future of their farm businesses.

For the first time since 1989 the US may allow the importation of British Lamb. Following comments from Boris Johnson, UK farming bodies have reacted to the news.

The UK and several European fertiliser manufacturers have suspended fertiliser production due to unprecedented gas prices.

The NFU is calling for a commitment from the government to not allow Britain’s food production to slip below its current level of 60% self-sufficiency, alongside greater ambition in promoting British food at home and abroad to aid food security.

British farmers and food producers are set to benefit from access to a valuable new market, as Mexico has now officially opened its doors to British pork for the first time. British exporters can now tap into this brand-new market, which boasts high demand for high quality pork meat.

The alpaca was condemned after twice testing positive for bovine TB, but caught national attention as the owner engaged in a four-year legal battle to try to save the animal.

In a new cross-industry report, the UK food and drink sector is calling for a 12-month Covid-19 Recovery Visa to help alleviate the workforce shortages that are causing serious disruption across the whole of the supply chain and significantly increasing the cost of getting food to the public.

Defra has announced plans to release beavers in to the wild in England, opening up a landmark consultation on the 25th of August 2021. The consultation marks a cautious step towards further reintroductions and establishing native beaver populations.

The NFU have been championing the role of the rural community in a series of discussions with the government aiming to make sure those in the countryside do not get left behind as the country develops.

Following the end of the Government consultation period into the administration of direct payments and a lump sum exit payment for farmers who may be looking to leave the industry, the NFU has shared its response to the proposals.