sustainable farming incentive

FG reader Hugh Wroth, from Wiltshire, shares his views on the current Labour Government's farming policies

Alan Carter farms in partnership with his parents, Paul and Christine, on a 162-hectare (400-acre), 400-cow dairy unit at Constantine, Cornwall, supplying Saputo

Defra Minister Daniel Zeichner will be probed about the early closure of SFI and Defra's communication with the industry on key changes to farming policy

Niche crops, value-added crops and alternative break crops offer market-driven alternatives to environmental schemes

n today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the results from a Farmers Guardian survey looking at how farmers' mental health has been impacted by the Autumn Budget, Red Tractor promises to implement all 56 recommendations from the farm assurance review and ensure farmers are the 'absolute priority', and the Government's new Food Strategy Advisory Board is criticised for its lack of farmer representation.

It has been rumoured Defra's budget could be on the ‘chopping block' in the Comprehensive Spending Review

RPA chief executive Paul Caldwell said he leaves the agency in a 'great position' to further maximise grant-making and deliver for its customers

On today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown gives the latest on the first case of avian flu found in a single sheep in Yorkshire, the foot-and-mouth outbreak in Slovakia – where the disease has been found on three separate farms, and the Tenant Farmers Association's call on Defra to allow 'in-flight' SFI applications to be processed

James and Isobel have three young children and recently bought their first farm, running beef and sheep over 13.8 hectares (34 acres), renting a further 44.5ha (110 acres). James works for tech firm Breedr as a product manager

The Tenant Farmers Association has asked Defra to provide details of the number of 'in-flight' SFI applications on the RPA system before the scheme was closed