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TheDairySite Latest News: United Kingdom

15 October 2020

NFU president meets Prime Minister
NFU President Minette Batters met Prime Minister Boris Johnson on 14 October to discuss the need for the UK to safeguard British farming's high standards in trade policy. ...

14 October 2020

The UK must reward farmers for maintaining and improving landscapes, says NFU
The UK's National Farmers Union is launching a new report that shows the pivotal role British farming plays in maintaining the nation's landscapes and sets out how future policy needs to enable farmers to continue their work. ...

13 October 2020

UK vets stunned as MPs vote against Agriculture Bill amendment on import standards
Vets across the United Kingdom lament a "severe blow for animal welfare" as MPs vote against an amendment that would require food imports to meet the same rigorous welfare and safety standards as UK farm products....

12 October 2020

UK dairy profits expected to recover in 2020, says Old Mill
The newly-released Milk Cost of Production Report from Old Mill shows UK Dairy farmers' profits recovering in 2019/20 after falling in 2018/19, mainly due to reduced purchased feed costs. ...

UK ministers move to deny MPs vote on blocking chlorinated chicken imports
Reporting in The Independent states that British cabinet members will use an “obscure” rule to prevent lawmakers from voting on food imports....

09 October 2020

More UK farmers seeking mental health support with FCN
The Farming Community Network's (FCN) helpline reports that mental health queries now make up the majority of calls....

08 October 2020

UK farming risks collapse unless it prioritises the natural environment
New research demonstrates the business case for farming while prioritising the natural environment. ...

07 October 2020

Why milk prices and contracts don't always determine business success
Profitability and business success are determined by how well dairy businesses are structured, delegates were told at the recent Women in Dairy Conference....

Farm productivity grants available for UK farmers
The UK's Rural Payments Agency has set aside £25 million to help farmers boost productivity....

06 October 2020

UK signals that it is open to Australia-style EU deal, but snags remain
As negotiations on a post-Brexit trade deal between the United Kingdom and European Union reach their final weeks, PM Johnson says the UK could trade with the EU on similar terms to Australia in case no deal is reached....

05 October 2020

Webinars from AHDB will put the turbulence of 2020 into perspective
The impact of the coronavirus crisis, consumer views on buying British and the ongoing challenges of Brexit will be explored in a series of webinars from AHDB. ...

UK faces significant challenges in meeting net zero carbon goals for livestock
A new report warns that currently available technologies will not be able to deliver on the UK farming sector's goal of net zero carbon emissions. ...

02 October 2020

Convenience remains the top priority for UK shoppers
Market research shows that speed and ease of cooking drive the shopping choices for UK consumers, with 75 percent of households purchasing "value added" meat products last year. ...

01 October 2020

UK cattle show increased gutworm infection but low liver fluke exposure
New parasite tracker from Boehringer highlights high gutworm but low liver fluke exposure in cattle this grazing season. ...

30 September 2020

UK government opts to exclude foreign dairy workers from SOL
A last-ditch attempt to include dairy workers on the UK's Shortage Occupation List (SOL) has been rejected, sparking fears of worker shortages in the industry. ...

Milkmen expand their business during UK lockdown
New AHDB analysis shows that UK consumers turned to doorstep delivery of milk during lockdown, bolstering milk delivery businesses. ...

29 September 2020

AHDB data shows UK shoppers restricting purchases due to COVID-19
Price is on the rise as a key purchase driver as new AHDB research reveals a third of UK consumers have seen a change in household employment status in the wake of COVID-19....

UK's meat export market at risk as government delays securing Third Country status
The United Kingdom must be formally listed as a Third Country by the EU in order to continue selling meat and other food products in that market, says BMPA...

25 September 2020

UK Lords back welfare safeguard in Agriculture Bill
UK vets and activists welcome move that could prevent food imports produced at lower animal welfare standards. ...

24 September 2020

How the UK can cut dairy emissions without cutting down on dairy consumption
Reducing the number of dairy cows across the UK doesn't have to mean less milk, cheese and yoghurt on grocery shelves. ...

UK Vets urge animal welfare amendment as Agriculture Bill progresses through the House of Lords
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has welcomed a crucial clause in the Agriculture Bill that imposes a requirement for agricultural and food imports to the UK to meet domestic standards....

23 September 2020

UK Government must do more to support the economic recovery of rural England, say citizen groups
The UK's Rural Coalition, an alliance of organisations including the RICS, the NFU, the CPRE, the Country Land and Business Association and the National Housing Federation, are calling on the Government to shore up the economic recovery of rural England....

22 September 2020

Results from domestication study could enhance livestock development
Study shows that the genetic makeup of water buffalo and cattle responded to breeding for human domestication in similar ways. ...

Mycoplasma bovis vaccine proves successful
Vaccinating calves against Mycoplasma bovis significantly reduces post-weaning mortality and antibiotic use, according to results from an independent farm-based trial....

New livestock insights software could bring UK farmers closer to the NFU's net zero goal
NFU leaders have called for greater adoption of new technology available to help farms maximise margins, uphold the UK’s reputation for quality and safe produce, and reduce carbon emissions....

21 September 2020

Discovery of rare Roman cattle bones sheds new light on ancient farming
The “incredibly rare” discovery of Roman cattle bones by archaeologists has shed new light on how ancient farmers butchered and sold meat....

17 September 2020

Did coronavirus impact UK dairy trade?
The coronavirus pandemic has inevitably had an impact on global trade, with IHS Markit dubbing April-June 2020 “the worst quarter in trade on record”. ...

Jump in use of sexed dairy, beef semen
Sales of sexed dairy semen accounted for just over half of dairy semen sales in the year to March 2020, jumping up from a 32% share the previous year, writes Katherine Jack, AHDB analyst for dairy. ...