Food and farming leaders have urged the government to work with the industry and deliver growth across the sector. It comes after the NFU convened a Food Resilience Roundtable – attended farm minister Angela Eagle – alongside food retailers, processors and farm businesses. Roundtable participants highlighted the need for... Read more

Plans to reduce water abstraction for irrigation in east Suffolk could be made workable by making it easier to invest in reservoirs and infrastructure, says a report. A planned 30% reduction in water for irrigation over the next 20 years would translate directly into lost output across the local... Read more

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had a go harvesting wheat when she visited Essex farmer Sam Doddard at Hall Farm, Little Walden. The MP for North West Essex said the Conservatives would reverse government plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers “at the earliest opportunity” – although she acknowledged that... Read more

Police seized and crushed a Land Rover Discovery used in a farm burglary – following a successful collaboration between the NFU and Hertfordshire constabulary. Information from local farmers helped police track down the vehicle after it was driving to a farm near Bishop’s Stortford, where the would-be thieves tried... Read more

Tributes are being paid to Norfolk farmer and veteran journalist David Richardson, who died age 87 last month after a short illness. Initially recruited by farmer and Anglia TV presenter Dick Joice for a series on rural affairs in 1960, Mr Richardson became one of the most influential voices... Read more

Plea for flexibility from government Lessons must be learned from the summer drought – including changes to agri-environment schemes, say farm leaders. The NFU wants Defra to ensure that the next round of the Sustainable Farming Incentive supports farmers’ resilience in the face of a changing climate. It comes... Read more

MPs saw food production and outstanding environmental success being achieved in harmony when they visited a Suffolk arable farm. Rushcliffe MP James Naish, Cannock Chase MP Josh Newbury and Ribble MP Valley Maya Ellis visited Lodge Farm at Westhorpe, near Stowmarket, as part of the NFU Food and Farming... Read more

• Tax ‘betrayal’ of farming families • Government unveils finance bill • Ministers refuse to discuss plan Industry leaders have again warned that imposing inheritance tax on farming families will fail to achieve the government’s aims. The NFU issued the warning as the government laid out draft legislation for... Read more

Plan ahead to reduce the impact of inheritance tax proposals, says Bruce Masson, of Larking Gowen On 30 October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR) will be reformed with effect from 6 April 2026. Under the present rules for inheritance... Read more

• Farmers flock to farm open day • 24 wheat varieties out in the field • Good atmosphere despite season Farmers from across the region converged on James Forrest’s farm near Stowmarket last month for the Mowness Hall Trials Day – a key event hosted by Fram Farmers in... Read more