Richard Halleron

Richard Halleron Profile Picture

News Correspondent

Richard Halleron is an agricultural chemist by background. He is a past chairman of the Northern Ireland Institute of Agricultural Science and has also served as Chairman of the Guild of Agricultural Journalists in Northern Ireland.

‘Guess what, rural businesses are totally unprepared for Brexit – but can’t blame them’

Opinion

‘Guess what, rural businesses are totally unprepared for Brexit – but can’t blame them’

So only 20% of rural businesses across the UK are Brexit-proofed. Or, put another way, 80% aren’t. These are astonishing...
Government must appoint a food ombudsman with real teeth

Opinion

Government must appoint a food ombudsman with real teeth

Food prices continue to fall in real terms. This is good news for consumers. However, it’s a real kick in...
‘Beef farmers must become more efficient – there’s no other show in town’

Opinion

‘Beef farmers must become more efficient – there’s no other show in town’

The Christmas beef shows and sales are about to get into full swing around the country. And they are all...
Farmers will always work for the public good

Opinion

Farmers will always work for the public good

Environmental groups continue to lobby for a farm support policy, post-Brexit, that delivers in terms of the public good. Significantly,...
Is the Brexit deal a case of perfect timing?

Opinion

Is the Brexit deal a case of perfect timing?

They say that timing is everything in life. And where Theresa May is concerned, the fact that she has left...
‘CCC report is nonsense but the NFU has been asleep at the wheel’

Opinion

‘CCC report is nonsense but the NFU has been asleep at the wheel’

Forget Brexit, the truly worrying story to come out of London this week was the report from the Government’s advisory...
Bovine TB: Could chipping or electronic ID be part of the solution?

Opinion

Bovine TB: Could chipping or electronic ID be part of the solution?

The latest public declaration by a number of veterinary surgeons to the effect that badger culling is not controlling Bovine...
It’s time to sort out the UK’s post-Brexit farm support budget

Opinion

It’s time to sort out the UK’s post-Brexit farm support budget

Stakeholder groups can talk about the post-Brexit support policies required by the farming industry until they are blue in the...
‘We must act now to protect one of the UK’s most valuable farming sectors’

Opinion

‘We must act now to protect one of the UK’s most valuable farming sectors’

The physical output of the sheep sector in 2019 is currently being determined as farmers put their rams in with...
Could Brexit be an opportunity for UK GM advancements?

Opinion

Could Brexit be an opportunity for UK GM advancements?

As is always the case, UK farmers are being encouraged to do everything in their power to control input costs...
Banning tractors from UK roads is total folly

Opinion

Banning tractors from UK roads is total folly

The latest soundings from Whitehall would indicate that the Government is toying with the idea of banning farmers from driving...
It’s time for the NFU to put more pressure on Michael Gove

Opinion

It’s time for the NFU to put more pressure on Michael Gove

I noticed that Defra Secretary Michael Gove was wearing what looked like an ear of wheat in the lapel of...
It’s time to put the value of the Basic Payment into context

Opinion

It’s time to put the value of the Basic Payment into context

I am pretty sick and tired of environmental and conservation groups telling us all that we need farm support measures...
Feed demand soars in Northern Ireland as mills struggle to secure materials

Dairy

Feed demand soars in Northern Ireland as mills struggle to secure materials

The continuing dry weather and poor growing conditions in Northern Ireland have created an unprecedented demand for feed materials to...
London remains committed to fundamentally changing farm support in the UK

Opinion

London remains committed to fundamentally changing farm support in the UK

By all accounts, the UK government remains on track to fundamentally change the nature of the support made available to...
Farmers and the National Living Wage…is it possible to keep everyone happy?

Opinion

Farmers and the National Living Wage…is it possible to keep everyone happy?

There has been a lot of talk this week about the possible impact of increases in the National Living Wage...
Is once-a-day milking an option in extreme weather conditions?

Opinion

Is once-a-day milking an option in extreme weather conditions?

Farming Connect in Wales has said the past nine months have seen some extreme weather which is creating challenges when...
Farmers should be forced to retire at 65

Opinion

Farmers should be forced to retire at 65

The last year or so has seen the press filled with stories of elderly farmers killed by cattle and other...
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