Politicians seem to think the countryside is for anything but food production, says Clodhopper. The Labour government’s attack on farmers is often assumed to be a class war being waged against wicked wealthy landowners – and I think I know why. This belief persists despite the fact most working... Read more

Next month marks the conclusion of the  government’s long-awaited spending review – the culmination of months of wrangling over how much money the country has to spend and indeed what it should be spent on. The review is one of those dull but important things Westminster watchers get very... Read more

The discovery of glyphosate resistance earlier this year on a farm in south-east England was only a matter of time – and perhaps unsurprising given that some formulations of the herbicide sometimes appear to be less effective than others. But it still came as a shock. Glyphosate resistance has... Read more

It’s hard to think of another government in recent memory dishing out so much pain to farmers who feed the nation. Last month’s shock decision by Defra to close the flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications with immediate effect was as brutal as it was unfair. It was... Read more

The government’s latest move in the battle over inheritance tax has rightly angered farmers and farming families. Summoning industry leaders from across the UK to attend top level talks in London  raised hopes of a Treasury compromise on  plans to impose inheritance tax on farming assets worth more than... Read more

The government’s decision to pause new capital grant applications has once again left thousands of farmers facing unnecessary uncertainty. Capital grants play a big part in encouraging farm businesses invest for the future – helping growers and livestock producers maintain high environmental standards while ensuring their businesses remain profitable.... Read more

Full praise to the hundreds of farmers who descended on supermarket car parks last month – telling shoppers about the impact inheritance tax will have on their families. Farming’s Day of Unity showed our sector at its best – caring, compassionate and coming together to make a heartfelt plea... Read more

Public support for farmers remains high following the autumn Budget. Let’s keep it that way, says Clodhopper When times are tough, farmers stand together. And that is exactly what we did after the autumn Budget delivered a devastating blow to our livelihoods. The government decision to impose a 20%... Read more

The start of a new year is usually a time to look forward – a time of hope for a better and brighter future. In that respect, 2025 begins just like many other years – if not more so in farming terms. But growers and livestock producers will also... Read more

The autumn Budget shows Labour doesn’t care for farming families – or their farms, says Clodhopper. So now we know. Despite all its pre-election promises, this Labour government doesn’t care for farming. And neither does it care for farmers. The autumn Budget is a disaster for farming. Not just... Read more