51AVÊÓƵ

Politicians have made a lot of promises to farmers about UK agriculture having a bright future, and now we must hold them to account, says Phil Stocker, chief executive of the National Sheep Association.

If the Scottish Government does not set out a clear plan and direction of travel for agriculture, the annual support budget of 500m could be under threat, says Mike Rumbles, Scottish Liberal Democrat MSP for the North East.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has called on Ministers to introduce a ‘strong trade policy’ to block high carbon food imports.

The latest version of the Agriculture Bill was published by the Government last week. But what in it is new, and what are the next steps? Abi Kay has spoken to Defra to get the inside track.

The NFU and Friends of the Earth (FoE) have joined forces to push for environmental, animal welfare and food safety standards to be protected after Brexit.

NFU Cymru has blasted Welsh Government’s secretive approach to implementing its proposed new water rules, calling for key information surrounding the plans to be made publicly available.

We cannot rely on this Government to deliver for UK agriculture – farmers must step up and get involved if we’re to secure a decent future, says Oliver Dowding, arable farmer and agricultural spokesman for the Green Party in the south west.

The Welsh Conservatives will work with the UK Government to ‘Get Brexit Done’, but also make efforts to assuage any concerns farmers may have about the future, says Paul Davies, the party’s leader.

Defra Secretary Theresa Villiers wants to ban farrowing crates post-Brexit, but without support from Government and retailers, such a move would threaten UK pig farming’s future, says Zoe Davies, NPA chief executive.

As we begin a new year and a new decade, we should be confident that farmers across the UK can meet the challenges ahead and grasp opportunities outside the EU, says John Henning, County Armagh beef farmer.