Politics

The NFU is campaigning for urgent action on rural crime following recent data showing that the issue costs the UK almost £50 million per year.

The River Wye action plan has been launched to preserve the long-term health of the river. It will include the introduction of up to a £35 million grant for poultry manure management equipment as well as the appointment of a new ‘river champion’ and taskforce.

Another three councils, including the first in Scotland, have opposed the plant-based movement, showing support for local farmers. 

The British farming community warmly welcomed the recent government response to the independent review of Dartmoor, saying that it has carefully considered given recommendations and offered workable solutions for everyone. 

The NFU has just issued a statement pointing out “major issues” with the newly announced Farming Recovery Fund, which aimed to help farmers devastated by Storm Henk in January.

The launch of the code of practice regulating landlord-tenant relationships has been warmly welcomed by farming leaders. 

Defra has just announced changes that make it easier for farmers to grow hemp, maximising its economic and environmental potential. However, strict laws on cannabis remain in place.

Farm and estate property consultancy Carter Jonas has called for clarity over the tax treatment of land put into environmental schemes.

The NFU is calling for a halt to proposed rule changes that require growers to pay recruitment fees. The union fears that the new legislation could have a financially damaging impact on farmers. 

Farming groups have expressed relief that the government has listened to the sector’s growing fears that environmental schemes could pose a threat to food security.

A rural property expert encourages farmers to carefully consider to what extent they enter new environmental schemes after inheritance tax relief was extended in the Spring Budget. 

Hundreds of tractors took part in a go-slow farmer protest in London yesterday, demanding UK food security.