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51AVÊÓƵshops and local producers will be the destination for 40 per cent of consumers this Christmas, with trust in the farming sector rocketing throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Another food and drink sector which has been struggling is food exports. Cedric Porter reports.

NFU Sugar has rejected claims made by environmental campaigner, George Monbiot, that it was ‘secretly lobbying the Government to allow neonicotinoid pesticides to be reintroduced after Brexit’.

Farmers in Wales can expect to keep direct payments until at least 2022 under new plans outlined by the Welsh Government as it moves towards a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

A farmer has died after being crushed in a tractor incident.

Defra is consulting on its draft revised UK National Action Plan (NAP) for the Sustainable Use of Pesticides.Ìý

A year-long pilot scheme is taking place on a new platform for sugar beet growers

Farmers must speak to their suppliers and confirm productivity-boosting equipment is available to order before accepting their Countryside Productivity Small Grants (CPSG) by January 18, 2021.

While there is room for optimism in spring barley markets, growers will need to work more closely with traders, maltsters and brewers to tackle increasing variability in the crop.

Next year will see farmers facing a complex mix of challenges, whatever happens with Brexit, farm business consultants Andersons have said. By Jonathan Wheeler