Environment

Defra has pledged to keep the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme in place, despite a commitment from the new ministerial team to a rapid review of farm support.

The first ever Welsh Agriculture Bill has today gone before the Senedd in what is being described as the most important piece of agricultural legislation to go through the Welsh parliament since it was formed more than 20 years ago.

Oil giant BP has been accused of using ‘heavy handed’ tactics with farmers and landowners in order to push through plans for its first offshore windfarm.

Hundreds of acres of valuable Lincolnshire farmland are set to be lost if a proposed 5sq.km reservoir is given the go-ahead.

A pill based on farmyard dust that would prevent children from developing allergies may be available within five years, a group of scientists has revealed.

Farmers looking to beat rising energy costs by going ‘off grid’ in favour of red diesel-powered generators are being warned they could risk being targeted by thieves looking to cash in on larger fuel stocks.

Farmers across the UK are being urged to consider the implications of allocating land for tree planting, after a US report showed carbon offsetting has a number of potential risks.

Most native broadleaf trees respond to cutting by sending up dozens of new shoots the following year – a natural process which seems to have been overlooked by Government Ministers, policy-makers and non-governmental organisations with their futures invested in planting trees, says land economist Richard Edwards.

Planting more trees and woodlands is a key part of the Government’s plan to level up the rural economy and deliver for nature, people and jobs, according to Defra.

Councillors fighting to save ancient farmland from a huge solar development have been left feeling ‘sad’ and ‘disappointed’ after losing a vote to block the move.