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Category Archives: NFU
Where’s the Beef? the UK Australia Trade Deal and the desperate search for Brexit Benefits.
There’s been an awful lot of media attention focussed on the idea that the Government’s Trade Deal with Australia will lead to the UK being swamped with sub standard Australian Beef, pushing plucky British Beef farmers out of business. I’m … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture policy, beef, Brexit, Common Agricultural Policy, NFU, Uncategorized
Tagged Australia, beef, Brexit, cows
9 Comments
It’s just not cricket: reactionary forces gather to challenge beavers’ right to stay where they belong.
In a rare piece of good news for the south-west’s environment, the government recently confirmed that beavers would be allowed to stay on the River Otter in Devon. Beavers were hunted to extinction in Britain about 400 years ago. Hunters … Continue reading
Posted in angling, Beavers, Natural England, NFU
Tagged Angling Trust, beavers, Cricket Bats, devon, National Farmers' Union, Natural England
7 Comments
Climate Action, food and farming: a seismic shift for the NFU?
Regular readers of this blog will be familiar with my critical views on the National Farmers Union, the NFU – over the years. So be prepared for a shock, brace yourselves and read on. Or stop now if your cognitive … Continue reading
Posted in agro-ecology, Anaerobic Digester, biofuels, biogas, climate action, NFU
Tagged agroecology, climate chaos, NFU
2 Comments
Gentlemen farmer MPs look to their own pockets, oblivious to rise of plant-based diets
Restaurant critic, writer and all-round foodie William Sitwell has parted company with Waitrose, as editor of their Food Magazine. He had replied to a journalist who had pitched some vegan recipes to him, with suggestions, which included hunting vegans and … Continue reading
Posted in 2018 agriculture bill, Lush Times, NFU
Tagged agriculture bill, NFU, vegans, Waitrose
6 Comments
Backwoodsmen out in force for Parliament farm debate
The long slow march of the new Agriculture Bill through Parliament continued last week, as Environment Secretary Michael Gove sought to reassure, indeed sooth, everyone’s concerns. Though Gove is a consummate schmoozer, mollifier and reassurer, satisfying the demands pressing on … Continue reading
Posted in 2018 agriculture bill, Fascism, NFU
Tagged agriculture bill, Fascism, Michael Gove, self-sufficiency
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Vested Interests fight back against Gove’s Green Brexit for farming
Yesterday we returned to the Great Dorset Steam fair for our annual pilgrimage. The ground had dried out a bit following sunday’s deluge, but not enough for the traction engines to trudge around the main ring, which was a small … Continue reading
Posted in Agriculture policy, Brexit, Michael Gove, NFU, RSPB
Tagged Agriculture policy, Brexit, Gove, NFU
2 Comments
Health and Harmony? Government consultation on future of agriculture reveals no new detail
Last week was a momentous one in the life of farmers and anyone who take an interest in our food. The National Farmers Union (NFU) took the historic step of appointing a woman to be its President – it’s … Continue reading
Posted in agriculture, Agriculture policy, Brexit, Common Agricultural Policy, NFU
Tagged Brexit, Common Agriculture Policy, Minette Batters, NFU, No Tern Unstoned
1 Comment
NFU proposals for a new farm subsidy system only fit for cloud cuckoo land
It’s a special anniversary this year – 70 years since the 1947 Farming Act. I will return to this anniversary in more detail later in the year, but today I want to discuss one particular thing. The 1947 Act was … Continue reading
Farmers Union attacks public goods approach to post-Brexit farm policy
While there is still nothing new coming from the Government on what a post- Brexit farm policy will look like, The Farmers Unions are gearing up to have their say – and they will expect to have the lion’s share … Continue reading
Posted in Brexit, farm subsidies, Farmers Union of Wales, NFU, public goods, Uncategorized
Tagged Brexit, Farm policy, Farmers Union of Wales, NFU, Public Goods
8 Comments
The Nature of our State
I was looking forward to attending the State of Nature launch, but decided in the end to stay at home at get on with some writing that is now becoming urgent. But despite my noble intentions, I became swept up … Continue reading
Posted in agriculture, NFU, RSPB, State of Nature, Uncategorized
Tagged back british farming, NFU, RSPB, State of Nature
26 Comments
a new nature blog 