Politics

“Opening garden centres provides a lifeline for British plant and flower growers that have been devastated by the near complete loss of their market this year,” says NFU President Minette Batters.

The UK dairy sector in partnership with Government has today announced a new joint-funded campaign to highlight the importance of ‘human connections’ during the current coronavirus crisis.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is welcoming the news UK/US trade discussions are due to commence following disruptions caused by Covid-19.

In a time of national crisis, HRH the Prince of Wales has praised the hard work and dedication of UK farmers and urged the public never to forget the “crucial importance of nature and farming”.

Defra is asking for ‘accurate and credible data’ on the severity of issues facing the dairy sector, to back up the industry’s call for support.

The government will temporarily relax elements of UK competition law to support the dairy industry through the coronavirus outbreak. 

Appeals for urgent government action to save the dairy industry have been backed by the entire supply chain, including UK farming unions, RABDF, Dairy UK and the Provision Trade Federation.

Severe flooding across the country in recent weeks formed a key part of discussions at the NFU Conference this week, with particular concerns raised about the three-crop rule.

During a visit to farmers in Wales this week regarding Brexit plans, Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued his support to ‘Britain’s great farmers’, while planning to scrap the Common Agriculture Policy.

The four UK farming unions are urging all dairy farmers to engage with the forthcoming government consultation on dairy contracts to make their voice heard and speak up for a