A New Year's message to farmers and crofters from Scotland's Shadow Rural Affairs Secretary Tim Eagle
"Not only is this figure wrong as it was based on a snapshot of 2021 data and values have now considerably changed, but it is also disingenuous on the UK Government to say only 500 (farms) are affected"
"Our children mean so much to us, and those who want to take over the business and be the next generation of farmers may have that privilege taken away. I truly do not know what I would do if I had to have that painful conversation about giving up our farm business and giving up an industry which has provided me with so much joy"
"On recent policies such as devolution, statutory housing targets there is no debate, no consideration, no understanding of the needs of local people"
Working together to manage the 200-plus milking herd as well as an on-site adventure farm is key to the success of the Lewis family’s, Clerkenhill Farm, Haverfordwest
²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's online editor Emily Ashworth reflects on the last few months but urges the industry to remember the value of what farming does
Weather woes and the fallout from the Budget dominated the past 12 months as farmers prepare to welcome 2025
Description: In today's Farming in Five, Chief Reporter Rachael Brown reports on reaction to the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer's comments that the purpose of the inheritance tax reform was to raise revenue in the Budget. Shortly after making these comments, his Farming Minister Daniel Zeichner said on a webinar hosted by the Tenant ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Association that far too many farmers are dependent on Government support schemes, and the new environmental schemes are about using public money for public goods, not about farming support – 'that comes alongside it.' Elsewhere, fairness in the supply chain will be the focus of a new inquiry by the Efra Committee. MPs will examine a range of key issues affecting the sector, including the levels of support for domestic food production, access to affordable and healthy food, labour shortages in the supply chain, and food prices.
This week online editor Emily Ashworth looks at ²ÝÁñÉçÇø Guardian's Save Britain's Family Farms campaign and the value that needs to be put back on the industry
This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: CLA vice-president Joe Evans