Taxpayers’ money will be wasted and environmental targets missed if the Government does not put farmers and food production at the heart of its post-Brexit policy, an industry expert has warned. 

The NFU has called on Ministers to ensure any future UK-Mexico trade deal includes protections for farming, as the two countries launched negotiations.

Defra has rejected calls to apologise after three researchers hit out at Government criticism of a paper which claimed badger culls have had no effect in reducing incidence of TB in cattle.

Seed potatoes from Great Britain (GB) will be able to be sold in Northern Ireland (NI) once more under the terms of new legislation from Westminster.

Environment Agency bosses have hit back at suggestions that the regulator should be slimmed down, with its flooding responsibilities separated out from other duties.

News that Ministers are considering setting a target for domestic food production will no doubt be music to many farmers’ ears. 

The Environment Agency has taken steps to ensure farmers’ mental health is considered when enforcement action is pursued.

Industry leaders have expressed hope that the upcoming Food Strategy will mark a ‘turning point’ in Government policy, after Ministers were reported to be considering introducing targets for domestic food production.

Sir Robert Goodwill has been elected chair of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee, following a ballot in the House of Commons on May 25.

A new law to cut red tape on gene editing has been introduced to Parliament this week, potentially making the first gene-edited products available to consumers by next year.