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Stamping down on livestock worrying
Bizza and Luke chat about the new and stronger powers the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) Act has given police to stamp down on the crime and the impact livestock worrying has had on farmers across the country.
Mixed farmer William Dawe joins them to share his experience of a devastating attack on his farm in Devon and his reaction to the law change.
William describes what happened on that fateful day at the start of lambing season which soon took over life on the farm: “I don’t think anybody who has not been through it would realise the burden of this and just the sheer amount of work that is involved in clearing up a mess like that,” William says.
While it was a struggle to keep the farm running during such a busy period, William explains that the emotional cost far outweighed the financial one, positively reacting to the Act and viewing it as a “really good help” in the battle against livestock worrying and attacks.
NFU events in Westminster
In Westminster, NFU Head of External Affairs Scott Pepe and NFU External Affairs Manager Ruairi Hodges update on the NFU’s lobbying concerning the ongoing situation in Iran on behalf of members.
Scott outlines the NFU’s key asks and highlights recent meetings NFU President Tom Bradshaw has had with both Farming Minister Dame Angela Eagle and Defra Secretary Emma Reynolds on the matter.
Scott also explains the key role running events plays in MP engagement, as Ruairi shares insights from an important core standards event in parliament, before moving on to discuss a rural police funding roundtable held in Westminster. While the former saw the NFU lobbying for a level playing field for its farmers, who are up against exports not produced to the same standards as here in the UK, the latter focused on putting pressure on the Home Office to secure fairer funding for rural areas.
The importance of the CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) is covered, as is the National Rural Crime Network.
Finally, Scott explains the importance of the upcoming King’s Speech (13 May) and highlights potential legislation with agricultural significance.
NFU Bed Talks
Finally, Shed Talks becomes Bed Talks as Bizza and Luke sit down with Harry Thompson, head of brand development and marketing for the Wrought Iron & Brass Bed Co.
Harry speaks of the company as his family’s legacy – the company started when Harry’s mum Amanda approached her local farrier about making an iron bedframe for Harry and his brother.
Twenty three years on, they are still the only metal bedmaker in the UK certified by Made in Britain, and now the first company to offer a 100% British wool mattress that is traceable back to the farm and similarly ‘Made in Britain’ certified.
Harry reveals why the company decided to create this mattress and their relationship with the British farmers who supply the wool.
He also describes the process of creating hyper-traceable mattresses, with QR codes that can trace back to the specific British bale of wool used in each product.
Hungry for more? Delve into some of the topics covered in the latest Shed Talks
Relief for farmers as NFU livestock worrying campaign leads to law change
What are private members’ bills?
NFU meets Defra to discuss impacts of global conflict on UK food supply chain
Geopolitical instability puts UK food production resilience under the spotlight
NFU warns against potential reductions to agri-food tariffs
NFU calls on government to level playing field on imports
Policing representatives seek fairer funding to stamp out rural crime
Meet the speakers:
Luke Cox
NFU combinable crops senior policy adviser
Bizza Walters
NFU Student & Young Farmer Alumni
She farms pedigree Greyface Dartmoor sheep alongside a small flock of commercial Romneys, sharing her love for British farming and rural life on social media.
Scott Pepe
NFU Head of External Affairs
He is also responsible for raising the NFU’s campaigning and lobbying profile in Westminster and is the NFU’s speechwriter.
Scott first joined the NFU in 2017. Before that, he worked in Parliament. He worked for the Deputy Chief Whip before going on to run an MP’s office. He has also been an adviser to Treasury Ministers and HMRC.
Ruairi Hodges
NFU External Affairs Manager
Alongside elected officeholders, Ruairi meets with MPs and Ministers to pursue the interests of the NFU’s members. He has a particular focus on international trade, rural crime, education and local government.
Ruairi joined the NFU in May 2025. Prior to this he worked in Parliament for over seven years for MPs representing seats in Perthshire, Derbyshire, Teesside and North Lincolnshire.