Beef
UK breeding cattle and sheep populations continue to decline
The UK cattle population declined 1% year-on-year in 2025; while the UK sheep flock saw a decline of 2.1% in...
DEFRA
Agri-Business
Govt urged to deliver on 'key priorities' for fertiliser sector
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) has called upon the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) to deliver on...
Agri Politics
Groceries adjudicator to join Defra under department transfer
Responsibility for the UK’s Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) will soon move to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs...
Agri-Business
Farmers' opinions wanted for new Defra fertiliser survey
Farmers are being urged to share how they have been impacted by rising fertiliser prices amid the Middle East conflict...
Agri-Business
UK organic livestock products now open to Japanese market
British organic livestock farmers are set to benefit as their produce has officially opened for exports to Japan’s £1.4 billion...
Agri-Business
Sainsbury’s commits to £5bn investment in long-term farming agreements
Supermarket goup Sainsbury’s today (Tuesday, March 31) announced that it plans to invest £5 billion into UK and Irish agriculture...
Dairy
Dairy farmers and processors urged to take part in survey - ASCA
The Agricultural Supply Chain Adjudicator (ASCA) Richard Thompson has launched a survey to assess the current state of the UK...
Rural Life
Defra advances trail hunting ban as consultation opens to public
The Labour government has “delivered on a key manifesto commitment” as trail hunting is set to be banned in England...
Schemes
Farming and food leaders unite to drive growth in British agriculture
Senior leaders from farming, food and retail met for the inaugural Farming and Food Partnership Board, which the Department for...
Forestry
Tree planting and peatland restoration hit by 'funding uncertainty' - report
Progress in increasing tree planting and peatland restoration across England has slowed due to “recent funding uncertainty”. That’s according to...
Environment
Defra warns capital grants applications may exceed £225m funding
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has revealed that £225 million will be provided through capital grants...
Environment
Land Use Framework 'long on aspiration' and short on execution - TFA
The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has said that the government’s new plans for land management is “long on aspiration and...
Environment
Defra announces England's first Land Use Framework
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published a new plan, the Land Use Framework, which will...
Beef
Farmers urged to vaccinate against bluetongue before spring turnout
Farmers are being urged to vaccinate their cattle against bluetongue ahead of spring turnout as the virus continues to spread...
Sheep
New law to protect farm animals from dog attacks comes into force
A new law comes into effect today (Wednesday, March 18) that will see farm animals in England and Wales get...
Rural Life
'Police-style' powers given to EA officers to crack down on dumping
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that police-style powers given to Environment Agency officers will...
N.Ireland
Bluetongue: Devon calf born with no brain tissue
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has confirmed that the number of bluetongue cases in Great Britain...
N.Ireland
UK farm businesses urged to prepare for EU agri-food deal
Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds has today (Monday, March 5) outlined how UK exporters and importers are expected to benefit from the new...