Bill ensures farmers get direct payments in 2020
A new bill has been introduced in Westminster to ensure farmers and crofters continue to receive subsidies for the 2020 scheme year.
defra
Villiers’ animal welfare and food safety pledges
Environment Secretary Theresa Villiers has sought to reassure farmers that high food standards will be protected as the UK seeks trade deals after Brexit.
Defra asked to give funding assurances
Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing has written to Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers seeking clarity on future funding for farmers and crofters.
Beef sector’s call for financial help
Farm leaders have called for a UK-wide emergency support package for beef producers.
No-deal tariff proposals pose threat to pig farmer livelihoods
No-deal Brexit tariff proposals for pork could force UK farmers out of business, the National Pig Association (NPA) has warned.
Villiers gives assurance of support, but no detail
Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers failed to give details of any no-deal Brexit agricultural intervention schemes, but said the UK Government is ready to act swiftly if sector support is needed.
Spread of swine fever ‘critical’ in eastern Europe
The present risk of African swine fever (ASF) being brought into the UK via contaminated or infected products is officially put at medium by Defra.
Plea for improved country of origin labelling
NFU Scotland (NFUS) has called for improved country of origin (Coo) labelling on processed beef products.
Accidentally-leaked memo reveals UK Government concerns about UK’s ability to patrol fishing waters after no-deal Brexit
An accidentally-leaked government memo has revealed “a lot of uncertainty” about the UK’s ability to safeguard its fishing waters in the case of a no-deal Brexit.
MP puts price of beef on menu
A north-east MP has pledged to raise concerns over the “dramatic fall in beef prices” with newly appointed Defra Secretary of State Theresa Villiers.
Reassurance over lamb cull fears for no-deal Brexit
The UK Government has assured farmers and crofters that widespread livestock culls are not being considered as part of contingency planning for a no-deal Brexit.
Michael Gove announces technology fund to ‘revolutionise’ the fishing industry
A call to action has been issued to tech firms and engineers to help "revolutionise" the fishing industry through artificial intelligence and "smart boats".
First review of food system in UK for 75 years
A review of the UK food system has been announced by Defra Secretary of State Michael Gove.
Defra dashes hopes of EU beef bailout
Any optimism that Westminster would press the EU to provide a bailout for the UK beef industry along the lines of the package agreed for Ireland was dashed at the Royal Highland Show by a visiting Defra minister.
NFUS wants Defra to act on convergence funding
Farming union NFU Scotland (NFUS) has called for “the long-running sore” of historic convergence funding allocations to be righted.
Ewing demand to Defra over £110m Cap support
The Scottish Government has asked Defra to deliver almost £110 million in extra Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) support to farmers and crofters north of the border.
Rising costs result in drop in UK farm incomes
UK farm incomes decreased last year due to rising costs and a drop in the value of potatoes and oilseed rape.
Fishing minister meets industry bosses in Peterhead
The UK Government's new fishing minister used his first ministerial visit to Scotland to meet workers in Peterhead yesterday.
Defra keeps ASF threat at ‘medium’
The risk to UK pig farms of African Swine Fever (ASF) entering the country through contaminated or infected products remains “medium”, says the latest disease update from Defra.
Sheep sector fuming over ‘baffling’ U-turn decision
Farming and meat trade leaders have united in condemning ‘a hugely damaging U-turn’ by the UK Government.
Reintroduction of lynx to UK vetoed by Defra
Farm leaders have hailed the UK Government’s decision to reject plans to reintroduce lynx into the Kielder Forest in Northumberland.
MPs raise concerns about vet capacity in no-deal Brexit
Senior MPs have accused the UK Government of a “cavalier” attitude to veterinary capacity in the event of a no-deal Brexit and warned animal exporters’ costs must not increase.
Defra action called for on seed potato imports
The Scottish Government has called on Defra to put measures in place to prevent UK producers from importing European-grown seed potatoes in the event of a no-deal Brexit.
Funding review will not revisit today’s Cap cash
The eagerly awaited review of farm subsidy budget allocations will not apply to the current round of Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) funding, Defra Secretary Michael Gove has confirmed.
Agriculture Bill will provide greater UK funding guarantee
Michael Gove has insisted a “slow hand” is better than a “rough wooing” when it comes to introducing post-Brexit plans for agriculture.
Gove outlines transition from farm support payments
Farmers in England are to be given seven years to adapt to life without the direct support they have relied on from Europe for almost 50 years.
Mystery surrounds ‘largest number’ of recorded deep sea whale strandings on west coast of Scotland
Mystery surrounds the "largest number" of recorded deep sea whale strandings around the west coast of Scotland and Ireland.
Views sought on the role of farm levy body AHDB
Farmers have been asked to share their views on the role of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB).
Quotas ‘still needed’ for UK fisheries post-Brexit, says think tank
A think-tank has claimed quotas will still be needed for the UK fishing sector after Brexit.
Scottish farmers play piggy in middle over CAP fund row
The long-awaited review into Common Agricultural Policy (Cap) convergence uplift funding has been delayed sparking anger at Holyrood.
UK farm incomes up 41% in 2017
UK farm incomes rose in 2017 thanks to higher prices for wheat, milk and pigs.
Ross Thomson urges animal lovers to have their say on electric shock dog collar consultation
Aberdeen South MP Ross Thomson has urged animal lovers to have their say on electric shock collars before a consultation on banning the devices ends this week.