Food production

"Labour have not thought through this policy"

The Ulster Farmers' Union (UFU) held a crisis meeting with Northern Ireland's leading food businesses and organisations to address the threat facing farming from government policies

The farming industry will be taking part in the annual Lord Mayor's Show this weekend to say thank you to the British public for their overwhelming support, particularly in recent weeks with ‘more than 150,000 people signing' the NFU campaign to overturn the ‘family farm tax'

The mass lobby on November 19 is now at full capacity. Farmers who have not already registered for the event are warned not to travel down to London and told there will be another opportunity to make their voices heard

"We know that there is a perception that the majority of our investment in flood defences goes to protect urban populations. All flood and coastal risk management projects must be carefully assessed to make sure they benefit the most people and property. But that does not mean we do not prioritise rural communities"

Graham Redman, partner at agribusiness consultants The Andersons Centre said the business aspect of farming was pressing on the farming community ‘even more so than ever before', and he urged farmers to look beyond the headline figures on Government environmental schemes, which he said could look appealing but came with ‘obligations' and ‘costs'

This week's opinion from throughout the world of agriculture: Chair of the Association of Independent Meat Suppliers - John Thorley

Applications for the new Integrated Natural Resources Scheme (INRS) are until September 27

"More extreme weather will make farming more challenging, so we must continue to support our farmers to produce enough food whilst also rewarding sustainable practices which ensure we reduce emissions"