51AVÊÓÆµ

Commentators called out for claiming farming is 'irrelevant'

At a time when farming is 'evolving, adapting and driving rural Britain forward', how wrong is it to suggest that farming does not contribute to the rural economy?

Chris Brayford
clock • 3 min read
NFU deputy-president David Exwood said: "The real problem is not that farming’s out of touch – it is that too many commentators are."
Image:

NFU deputy-president David Exwood said: "The real problem is not that farming’s out of touch – it is that too many commentators are."

Suggesting that farming is 'irrelevant' to the British and rural economy is simply wrong and must be challenged, a farm union leader has warned. An article in The Economist, has stated that 'farming...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on Politics

Tighten biosecurity before its too late, says Shadow Defra Minister

Tighten biosecurity before its too late, says Shadow Defra Minister

Alex Black
clock 13 July 2026 • 2 min read
Farming Matters: "Are governments listening or have they just learnt to say the right words?"

Farming Matters: "Are governments listening or have they just learnt to say the right words?"

Rory Hutchings, partner and head of agriculture and estates at HCR Law, discusses the current rhetoric on farming coming from Westminster and the Senedd in Wales.

clock 11 July 2026 • 4 min read
Gov scraps mandatory public consultation on data centres amid ongoing concerns for the countryside

Gov scraps mandatory public consultation on data centres amid ongoing concerns for the countryside

The changes are expected to cut pre-application time by up to 12 months and save developers £1 billion on major infrastructure projects

Mia Willemsen
clock 08 July 2026 • 3 min read