51AVÊÓÆµ

Iran war - George Eustice: "We need to think about national resilience first and foremost"

Former Defra Secretary George Eustice draws on his experience of dealing with price shocks during war in Ukraine to offer some long-term solutions which could help UK farmers contending with challenges from war in the Middle East

clock • 4 min read
International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association chair George Eustice said: "There has already been an impact on fertiliser prices and farmers face an anxious time worrying whether they can recover these increased costs from the crops they will sell. Longer-term, we need to think about national resilience first and foremost and that can only really come from recognising the potential of natural biological cycles on farms."
Image:

International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association chair George Eustice said: "There has already been an impact on fertiliser prices and farmers face an anxious time worrying whether they can recover these increased costs from the crops they will sell. Longer-term, we need to think about national resilience first and foremost and that can only really come from recognising the potential of natural biological cycles on farms."

As the current growing season unfolds against a background of strife and conflict in the Middle East, both farmers and policy officials in Defra will be feeling a terrible sense of deja vu. In 2022,...

To continue reading...

Already a member? Login for full access.

New to Farmers Guardian? Register for 1 free article per week or become a member for unlimited access to essential farming news and insights.

article-img-580x358

Ìý

More on 51AVÊÓÆµBusiness

EXCLUSIVE: 'I want to be a champion for the farming sector' – First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth on his rural reset for Wales

EXCLUSIVE: 'I want to be a champion for the farming sector' – First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth on his rural reset for Wales

In his first sit-down interview since taking office, Wales' First Minister tells Farmers Guardian why he wants to shed the sense that farmers have things ‘done to them’, and what comes next for the Sustainable Farming Scheme

Olivia Midgley
clock 21 July 2026 • 5 min read
Royal Welsh Show: FUW welcomes multiyear budget but urges Gov to offer payment guarantee

Royal Welsh Show: FUW welcomes multiyear budget but urges Gov to offer payment guarantee

President Ian Rickman says farmers still feel barriers to Sustainable Farming Scheme remain

Jane Thynne
clock 21 July 2026 • 3 min read
Wales' First Minister emphasises importance of wildlife control in bovine TB strategy

Wales' First Minister emphasises importance of wildlife control in bovine TB strategy

Speaking at the Royal Welsh Show, Rhun ap Iorwerth said bTB was one of the main, ongoing challenges facing Welsh farm businesses

Olivia Midgley
clock 20 July 2026 • 3 min read