15-24 March 2019
The ITV Tonight programme featured an interview with NFU Next Generation forum member Ed Ford (5m 30secs). During the interview Ed spoke to presenter Helen Skelton about the effect fly-tipping is having on his business and the quantity of waste he has to deal with.
The Yorkshire Post reported on eggs being excluded from a list of imported products that would face tariffs if government fails to strike a deal with the EU. The article highlights that high welfare British poultry farms could be undermined by imported eggs from caged birds. The NFU is quoted voicing concerns over the lack of this protection.
An article in The Sunday Times discussed the threat American chicken could pose to UK farmers. In the article, NFU EU exit and international trade adviser Rebecca Hesketh is quoted saying that farming needs to be given careful consideration during trade negotiations.
Saturday’s episode of Farming Today featured a Brexit discussion with co-vice chairman of the Next Generation forum Tom Collins, and Jeff Simkins. They spoke about handing over a family farm to the next generation and the impact Brexit could have on British agriculture. NFU director of EU exit and international trade, Nick Von Westenholz, was also quoted speaking about tariffs and mentioned that not all sectors were protected by zero-rate tariffs.
Farming Today also looked at water abstraction and the new powers the Environment Agency may be given to revoke licenses. NFU water specialist Paul Hammett told the programme that the plans could mean farmers have licenses removed with little warning and without compensation.