All news articles NEWSCrucial ballot starts to decide future of AHDB HorticultureBallot papers have been sent out to about 1,400 active horticulture levypayers as the AHDB seeks approval for its continued role in the sector. The ballot was triggered when more… NEWSCoronavirus: RPA reduces bank helpline hoursThe Rural Payments Agency (RPA) has reduced its bank helpline opening hours because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lines will now be open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 9am and… BREXITBrexit uncertainty halts animal feed suppliesAnimal feed shipments to Northern Ireland are being delayed because of uncertainty over post-Brexit certification rules, say farm suppliers. The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC), which represents UK suppliers with an… CRIMEIn-calf Highland cow killed in horrific dog attackAn in-calf Highland heifer just weeks away from calving has been killed in a horrific dog attack after a Rottweiler escaped from its home and savaged the cow in its… NEWSCoronavirus: Farmers plead with walkers to respect countrysideWet weather and an increase in walkers has seen footpaths become wider as people try to avoid mud, destroying crops in the process. Coronavirus rules limit people to one form… NEWSOpinion: Tree planting won't feed hungry mouthsWe have ended the Brexit transition period with a deal and have thus avoided the tariffs which would have been ruinous for the sheep industry. So, that’s good. It isn’t… CRIMEWarning over spate of quad bike thefts during lockdownFarmers have been warned that lockdown restrictions are doing little to deter criminals from targeting any security weakness to steal quad bikes and all-terrain vehicles. A spate of incidents in… NEWSRural areas face slow broadband for years, MPs warnThousands of farmers could be left with slow broadband for years to come because of a “litany of failures” by government to roll out ultrafast technology to rural areas, according… NEWSOFC21: Call to fix 'broken' food system with fairer pricesA focus on productivity growth and cheap food are no longer tenable in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and poor diets, the UK’s global food security champion has… NEWSOpinion: We should be lifting, not cutting food productionA friend of mine recently sent me some newspaper articles detailing what’s happening on Belgian farms. According to these, the production of intensive livestock is rocketing. New buildings are being… FARM POLICYTrade advisory board says no backsliding on food standardsMaintaining high production standards and collaborating along the whole food chain are crucial to the fortunes of British agriculture, both at home and abroad. Addressing the Oxford Farming Conference on… CRIMEPolice recover stolen sheep in Shropshire after chaseA police pursuit in Shropshire ended with officers finding four sheep in the back of a vehicle. An appeal has been launched to find the farmer they belong to. At… NEWSFW Podcast Episode 39: Opportunities and challenges in 2021Gene-edited crops and livestock could soon be permitted on farms in England under plans contained in a government consultation. The plan was unveiled by Defra secretary George Eustice at the… ENVIRONMENTEnvironment guru predicts regenerative farming is the futureThe next 10-15 years will see huge disruption, but also exciting changes for the agricultural industry as it invests in more sustainable and regenerative practices, according to sustainability guru and… ENVIRONMENTRiver Severn dam proposals 'could decimate farms'Farmers in Shropshire have raised concerns about proposals to build a dam on the River Severn that could flood thousands of hectares of productive farmland. The structure is being considered… NEWSFW Opinion: Deal done, and not a kidnap in sightWhen a decision marks the end of a disagreement, the consequences rippling outwards are eagerly watched by all involved for markers of success or failure. Those who lost the debate… ENVIRONMENTFarmer blames Welsh Water sewage leaks for sheep lossesA sheep farmer claims he has incurred losses of £32,000 because of raw sewage repeatedly contaminating pasture grazed by his flock. Richard Lee has been locked in a battle with… NEWSDefra seeks to pave the way for gene editing in EnglandGene editing could soon become a standard part of plant and animal breeding in England, as Defra seeks to move away from European Union restrictions that treat the technique the… More articles
