This week’s NFU news reel

Stack of newspapers

Stack of newspapers. Credit: imageBROKER / Alamy Stock Photo.

Every week, NFU spokespeople are in the media championing British farming – whether it’s in the studio on BBC Breakfast, quoted in national newspapers or reacting quickly to breaking news.

168 pieces of total coverage

25 mentions across all broadcast

9 pieces of national print, TV and radio coverage

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.


"Cash flow pressures, inheritance tax policy, extreme weather and global volatility are making it harder for farmers and growers to produce the nation’s food and be profitable while doing it. If we truly believe that food security is a vital part of our national security, we need to see that reflected in policy."

NFU President Tom Bradshaw on food security


EU SPS negotiation

NFU President Tom Bradshaw and NFU Combinable Crops Board Chair Jamie Burrows are quoted in both The Times and The Guardian this week calling for a transitional approach to any future UK-EU SPS (Sanitary and Phytosanitary) agreement, following a new report from CropLife which suggests that an immediate and complete alignment with the EY on plant protection products available could cost the arable, horticulture and sugar sectors between £500 million and £810 million.

Tom stresses the importance of unlocking trade opportunities while carefully managing regulatory change, warning that sudden regulatory changes could pose risks for British production. Meanwhile Jamie warns about how losing key crop protection tools would be “catastrophic”.


East Sussex member Peter Appleton on BBC South East Today


NFU Dairy Board Chair Paul Tompkins on BBC South East Today


The Yorkshire Farming Conference

Reporting from the Yorkshire Farming Conference, LBC News (1:14:06) featured NFU Deputy President David Exwood’s response to concerns about changes to the inheritance tax threshold. He stressed that despite uncertainty, there is still reason for optimism and that the government must equip farmers with the tools they need to do their job effectively.

Yorkshire grower and member Guy Poskitt also featured highlighting some of the uncertainty many farmers are currently facing.


Beaver reintroduction

Following the first sighting of a wild beaver in Norfolk in 500 years, I News reports on the growing momentum behind beaver reintroduction in the UK. NFU Deputy President David Exwood is quoted calling for extensive measures to be put in place prior to further wild releases.



Farming pressures and future government policy

In The Telegraph, Tom highlights the “unrelenting pressure” farmers and growers are currently facing in an article on the number of agriculture, forestry and fishing businesses that closed in 2025.

Tom is also quoted on GB News online in an article on concerns that net zero targets pose a serious threat to British farmers. He explains how government policy is imperative to progressing climate-friendly farming.


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

Contact Lucy at: [email protected] 

This page was first published on 30 December 2025. It was updated on 04 February 2026.


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