Politics

The National Sheep Association (NSA) regarded former Defra advisor Ben Goldsmith’s comments on sheep farming in the UK as ‘naïve’ and ‘uneducated’ in a statement issued to defend the valuable role sheep fulfill in the UK countryside.

Farming groups have criticised the government over plans to sign trade agreements with Canada and Mexico that will lead to low-welfare imports of beef and pork undercutting British producers.

At Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) 2023, policy campaigners from The Landworkers’ Alliance (LWA) and the Irish equivalent body Talamh Beo provided an update on what small farmers can expect from future subsidy payments across the four UK nations.

Following Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s announcement of her resignation on 15th February, farming organisations expressed the need for stability and continuity in government leadership and for farming to be regarded as an area of high priority.

More than 100,000 supporters have signed the NFU petition calling for a total ban on sky lanterns in England and Wales due to the dangers they pose to the environment, livestock, and those living in rural areas.

Former dairy farmer and Defra farming minister Mark Spencer will take to the stage at next week’s Dairy-Tech on 1st February at Stoneleigh Park, setting out government plans for the sector. 

Speakers at the 2023 Oxford Real Farming Conference (ORFC) opening plenary reflected on the political and economic turmoil of the last few years and spoke of the changes that need to happen to secure the future of food and farming.

As is tradition, NFU President Minette Batters has issued a New Year message to the farming community, reflecting on the unprecedented challenges faced by food producers over the past year as well as the successes that have been achieved.

From March 2022, Dr Richard Irvine will join the Welsh government as the new chief veterinary officer.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) continues to be frustrated in the lack of government commitment to UK agriculture and food security, along with the poor recognition that agriculture is the key to tackling climate change, and could, with the right incentives do far more.

NFU Scotland has declared that “Farming and food production must be viewed as critical industries when the UK Government announces its review of the Energy Bill Relief Scheme, expected before Christmas.”

The Government has re-appointed Nicholas Saphir as chair of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) for one year, with effect from 1 April 2023.