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Thousands of pigs have been ‘unnecessarily culled’ because exporting to the EU has become too expensive and difficult since the end of the Brexit transition period, industry leaders have warned.

Farm groups have expressed concern about the ongoing UK-EU row over Northern Ireland, which risks putting a calamitous no-deal Brexit scenario back on the table.

Farm groups have expressed concern about the ongoing UK-EU row over Northern Ireland, which risks putting a ‘calamitous’ no-deal Brexit scenario back on the table.

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis has said the Government will not accept a key recommendation from Henry Dimbleby’s National Food Strategy to protect standards in trade deals.

Accusation that there is a lack of clarity in agricultural policy direction in England may come as little surprise, but that does not make them any less concerning, especially at a time when the industry is seeking to define its future outside of Europe and the Common Agricultural Policy.

The UK has agreed the broad framework of a trade deal with New Zealand, which will open the door to beef, lamb, dairy and apple imports.

The membership of the new Trade and Agriculture Commission (TAC) has been announced, even as the Government was accused of failing to uphold a key recommendation of its predecessor.

SIMMENTALS met a top call of 18,000gns with the 57 bulls averaging 5,961, up 372 on the year for five more sold and with a clearance rate of 58 per cent.

New proposals from the EU are expected to slash paperwork for food exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

The opening up of the US market to imports of British lamb has been welcomed but it remains to be seen what the impact on Scotch lamb will be.