Our work behind the scenes ensures the voices of farmers and growers are heard loud and clear by the public, politicians and key decision-makers.
Catch up on where you, our members, have featured in the news, where we've been, what we've said and how the media is helping push farming up the agenda.
You can also keep up to date with all of our activity by following us on X (formerly Twitter) @NFUPress.
Quote of the week
"There'll be many farmers - particularly the elderly generation that were so concerned about their future - that are going to be able to sleep more easily this Christmas because of the change made by the government."
NFU President Tom Bradshaw on the government’s increasing the family farm tax threshold
An early Christmas present: IHT changes
The government’s decision to raise the family farm tax threshold from £1 million to £2.5 million dominated the news agenda this week, making the front pages of seven national newspapers – the Financial Times, The Times, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Independent, The Telegraph and The Guardian.
NFU President Tom Bradshaw featured prominently across all titles, sharing details of his discussions with the Prime Minister and emphasising the relief this change brings to farming families.
Tom’s reaction also led broadcast coverage throughout the day, appearing on:
- GB News' Farage [with guest host Charlie Peters] (7:28)
- Sky News at Ten
- BBC Radio 4 Farming Today (4:08)
- LBC with Lewis Goodall (2:36:03)
- BBC News Channel
- BBC Radio 4 World at One (13:50)
- Times Radio Drive with John Pienaar (9:20)
- BBC Radio 5 Live with Naga Munchetty (50:30)
- Sky News with Sarah-Jane Mee
BBC Radio 5 Live
BBC Radio 4 World At One
LBC with Lewis Goodall
Sky News
Farming Today interviewed Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds about the announcement, and she highlighted the “constructive role” that the NFU has played in working with the government.
Two opinion pieces by Tom appear in the press. He wrote in the Independent about the persistent campaigning to bring about the change and what it means for family farms while in The Telegraph he calls for all political parties to drop the tax in their election manifestos. The Telegraph also argues that Tom’s meeting with the Prime Minister and Defra Secretary of State Emma Reynolds was a key reason the policy was altered.
Meanwhile, Daily Mail City Editor Alex Brummer criticised the timing of the announcement while highlighting Tom’s response.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood explained the practical implications for farmers on ITV News at Ten (6:45) and the NFU’s position was repeatedly referenced in news bulletins across Sky News, LBC, and other major broadcasters.
Regional voices also featured, with NFU Leicestershire, Northants and Rutland county chair Joe Stanley sharing his views on BBC Radio 5 Live (17:45) and Lincolnshire member Andrew Ward on GB News (2:11:02) and Times Radio (9:45).
Further coverage includes BBC News online, Independent, The Telegraph and Sky News, all quoting Tom.
Animal welfare reform
The government’s proposed animal welfare reforms dominated headlines last week. NFU President Tom Bradshaw has been at the forefront of the debate, consistently calling for imported produce to meet the UK’s own high standards.
Tom joined BBC Radio 4’s Today programme (2:11:43) alongside the RSPCA’s David Bowles, stressing that any rise in domestic standards must be matched by imports. He also shared his views on Times Radio Breakfast (2:38:59).
The reforms sparked widespread discussion across national print media:
- GB News and The Times explored the broader implications of reforms under the headline of the boiling lobster ban, quoting Tom’s Times Radio interview.
- The Financial Times and the Daily Mail highlighted concerns over import standards and unintended consequences for UK farmers.
- The Times, Daily Express and the Independent led on the proposed ban on cages for chickens and pigs, quoting Tom’s calls for core standards.
- The Telegraph quoted Tom's response in an article looking at trail hunting proposals.
Tom also spoke to LBC's Tom Swarbrick (55:13) on the strategy – alongside the EU Reset and the family farm tax – and was quoted on a plethora of national radio stations including BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 6.
Tom Bradshaw on Times Radio
Tom Bradshaw on the Today programme
Farm Profitability Review
Following the launch of the Farm Profitability Review earlier this month, NFU President Tom Bradshaw shared his reaction in Financial Times, BBC News online, The Times and I News, stressing the need for fairness in the supply chain, planning reforms, clarity on SFI and a rethink on the family farm tax.
NFU Deputy President David Exwood echoed these concerns on Times Radio (1:03:57), ITV News and the BBC News Channel, warning that low confidence is holding back investment. He also urged government to use the Review to demonstrate farming’s value to the wider economy on BBC Radio 4’s Farming Today (1:03).
Elsewhere, NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins and NFU Devon County Chair David Chugg welcomed the review's recognition of mounting pressures in the Daily Express, while NFU East Livestock Board member James Runciman highlighted the family farm tax's impact on his farm in The Telegraph.
David Exwood on ITV News
David Exwood on Times Radio
And finally...
NFU Vice-president Rachel Hallos welcomed the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) Bill receiving Royal Assent in The Telegraph, Daily Mail and Farmers Guardian, highlighting the historic win and the need for responsible dog ownership.
Tell your story
If you've been affected by any of the issues covered in the news this week and want to share your story, contact our press and editorial teams.
Email: [email protected]
Or contact our press team below:
Lucy Wood
NFU Press Officer