Farmer Richard Watts said: "Rising costs in wages, National Insurance, and energy are putting immense pressure on small and family-run farms"
In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown looks back at the top news stories of the week, including the Chancellor's Spring Statement, the Defra Secretary facing criticism for visiting only four farms since Labour's General Election win, concerns around the end of funding for Producer Organisations within the soft fruit sector, and King Charles and the Prince of Wales out and about supporting British farming. She also looks ahead to next week, when the Farming Minister will make his first appearance before the Efra Committee to answer questions on the SFI suspension and ongoing industry concerns
In today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown unpicks the Chancellor's Spring Statement after she stood firm on the family farm tax, Defra Secretary has only visited 4 farms since Labour's General Election, with his ministers for flood and nature not visiting any, and livestock farmers are being encouraged to sign up for free vet visits through the TB Advisory Service (TBAS) before the service’s funding ends
While Ms Reeves was quick to quell any rumoured tax rises, she did not back down on the measures introduced in the Autumn Budget, including the family farm tax
n today's Farming in Five, chief reporter Rachael Brown analyses the results from a Íæż½ã½ã survey looking at how farmers' mental health has been impacted by the Autumn Budget, Red Tractor promises to implement all 56 recommendations from the farm assurance review and ensure farmers are the 'absolute priority', and the Government's new Food Strategy Advisory Board is criticised for its lack of farmer representation.
Paul Savage and Dewi Hughes have been appointed by Welsh Government as two new non-executive directors to the board of Hybu Cig Cymru
Defra said the Food Strategy Advisory Board was the 'first step in a wider engagement strategy'
Yeo Valley said it was working in partnership with ABP Food Group to bring Yeo Valley Organic free-range and grass-fed beef burgers to the market
It has been rumoured Defra's budget could be on the ‘chopping block' in the Comprehensive Spending Review
Jason Hollands, of wealth management firm Evelyn Partner, said another area that could be subject to an 'overhaul' was the lifetime gifting regime