Category Archives: NFU

Where’s the Beef? the UK Australia Trade Deal and the desperate search for Brexit Benefits.

Posted on May 24, 2021 by Miles King

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 , , , | 9 Comments

It’s just not cricket: reactionary forces gather to challenge beavers’ right to stay where they belong.

Posted on August 22, 2020 by Miles King

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 , , , , , | 7 Comments

Climate Action, food and farming: a seismic shift for the NFU?

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Miles King

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 , , | 2 Comments

Gentlemen farmer MPs look to their own pockets, oblivious to rise of plant-based diets

Posted on November 9, 2018 by Miles King

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 , , , | 6 Comments

Backwoodsmen out in force for Parliament farm debate

Posted on October 17, 2018 by Miles King

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 , , , | Leave a comment

Vested Interests fight back against Gove’s Green Brexit for farming

Posted on August 28, 2018 by Miles King

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 , , , | 2 Comments

Health and Harmony? Government consultation on future of agriculture reveals no new detail

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Miles King

  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 , , , , | 1 Comment

NFU proposals for a new farm subsidy system only fit for cloud cuckoo land

Posted on January 12, 2017 by Miles King

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 →

Posted in agriculture, Brexit, farm subsidies, NFU | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Farmers Union attacks public goods approach to post-Brexit farm policy

Posted on November 30, 2016 by Miles King

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 , , , , | 8 Comments

The Nature of our State

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Miles King

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 , , , | 26 Comments