Abi Kay
@FWAbiKay
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Deputy editor @FarmersWeekly , @IFAJ Young Leader 2019, @oxfordfarming director. Get in touch: abi.kay @markallengroup .com
Salford, England
Joined September 2016
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We've published our 3rd
#LevelTheField
guide, on how to improve working conditions.
It explores:
💷 The business case for doing so
🧤 Ensuring staff have the right workwear/PPE
🔧 Using machinery & tools safely
👩🌾 Protecting women’s health & hygiene .
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For the past few weeks I've been completely consumed by this investigation. It's probably the most important story I'll ever break and I hope it can be used to bring about meaningful change. Please do read it 👇
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I haven’t been able to share photographic evidence of this scandal yet, because my sources asked me not to.
But today I’ve been given permission to share these (they’re nowhere near the worst I’ve seen).
Good bacon v bad bacon
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BIG salute to my sources who were brave enough to speak out, despite massive intimidation.
And to
@Merry_Meredith
and the rest of the
@FarmersWeekly
team who gave me the time and space to do this research.
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We did some research at
@FarmersWeekly
looking at how soaring energy costs are affecting food production as govt support ends.
The results are stark: 1/3 of producers have already reduced their output & 44% said they would do so in the next 12 months
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A couple more pictures I’ve been given permission to share. This beef went into fajitas.
#RottenMeatScandal
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It’s the start of a new week and I’m going to begin it with some personal news as I’ll be seeing people out and about soon!
Husband and I have a little one on the way 👶🏼
Due December, a Christmas baby 🎄
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Wow. A lot of new followers since last night. Thank you all for reading the story. Please keep pushing with us at
@FarmersWeekly
for change ✊🏼
If you want to hear more, I was on
@TheNewsAgents
pod today - you can listen here 👇🏼
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Apologies for not tweeting much in the past couple of weeks. Been very busy preparing to take on a head of news role at
@FarmersGuardian
, which becomes official tomorrow😬
Super happy to have the opportunity to step up and looking forward to the challenge!
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The UK Gov's top climate advisor has said veganism is 'the opponent' of climate change mitigation. 'We won't get... healthy soil unless we have animals. We have to stop vegans taking over the climate agenda [w/] a religious desire to stop animal husbandry'
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Super proud to have won this award for
@FarmersWeekly
’s investigation into a meat supply committing fraud and food safety breaches. Thank you
@GAJinfo
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My only agenda as a journalist has been to hold people and organisations in positions of power over the farming industry to account. I will continue to report without fear or favour.
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After 6 amazing years at
@FarmersGuardian
, I’ll be moving to
@FarmersWeekly
in Jan to take up their deputy editor role.
I’m leaving an incredible set of colleagues at FG & taking treasured memories w/ me.
But the time is right for a new challenge & I can’t wait to get stuck in!
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Some positive news amid all the horribleness: Many of my friends have now started buying their food direct from local farmers.
And the vast majority of them tell me they’ll carry on doing this after the epidemic is under control.
Let’s hope they do!
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Just wanted to thank every single person who has sent me messages of support or responded to critics since we published THAT story. I've missed loads.
Your backing & the fact that so many women & girls have shared their own experiences has kept me going amid the friendly fire.
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I’ll be quiet now for a couple of weeks as I’m getting married on Friday and taking some time off! See you all on the other side… 👰🏼♀️
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Super chuffed to have won the Environment & Rural ABP Ag Journalism Award this evening. Unfortunately I don't have my certificate yet, but looking forward to getting it!
The story wot won it was my piece on small abattoirs, which you can read here:
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My name has been dragged through the mud because of this 👇🏼
Facts:
- Story was multiple sourced
- NFU & RT were aware I was reporting RT ownership board was leading the gov review & chose not to comment on it
- Orgs on ownership board believed they’d have input into the review
🧵 Concerns are growing about the independence of the Red Tractor governance review, after it emerged the assurance body was set to lead the investigation into itself 👇
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Could farmers in North Shropshire overturn a massive Tory majority in the upcoming by-election? Lib Dem
@timfarron
seems to think it's possible, with rural issues dominating on the doorstep
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@HPG_Farmer
Thank you for reading. Plant-based processed products ‘completely unregulated’ according to experts. Need to get to the bottom of that too
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The big news: A ‘British-only’ supermarket has become embroiled in a major fraud investigation - 1.3m docs being reviewed - after it was found to be selling South American & European beef as ‘best British’
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🧵 Difficult piece to write, this.
I’ve been looking into young farmer culture recently & found:
▪️ Sexual assault such as pulling up skirts or being groped is common at YF events & expected by girls
▪️ Some girls feel pressure to stay quiet/play along with this to fit in
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Thing I learned today: If you wear a
@FarmersGuardian
#Farm24
t-shirt to a fitness class, you will end up discussing the benefits of buying British food, the importance of maintaining high standards post-Brexit & be able to dispel myths about plant-based diets
#NeverTakingItOff
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Big news as promised - the Government has buckled under pressure & agreed to put the Trade & Ag Commission on a statutory footing. Just last month, Defra Ministers were insisting this didn't need to happen
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When you’re supposed to be getting married today & your friends step up to make sure you’re not sad ❤️
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Red diesel - tax relief abolished for 'most sectors, but agriculture will retain it. Good news. Namecheck for
@NFUtweets
lobbying
#Budget2020
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Farm leaders have reacted with anger after Defra revealed plans to tear up the ELM scheme in a confidential meeting today.
Several sources agreed to speak to me on condition of anonymity.
Full story here 👇
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Made the mistake of commenting on a post about hog roasts in a Facebook wedding group. Now getting notifications from several people who are claiming seeing a ‘pig on a stick’ has ‘traumatised’ them or their children. Honestly. Where do they think the pork comes from 🤷♀️ 🙄
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Giving another bump to this important thread.
I’ve had similar private messages from other women and girls.
If wanting better than this 👇🏼 for the next generation of farming women makes me ‘woke’, then absolutely, give me that badge. I’ll wear it with pride.
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My leader in this week’s
@FarmersGuardian
, on the huge response to Tuesday night’s ELM story.
Pick up a copy of the magazine tomorrow for plenty more news and analysis 🗞
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Binge watched Clarkson’s Farm and I cannot recommend it enough. It really shines a light on the struggles farmers face and the passion they feel for their work. Makes you laugh and cry. A cameo for
@FarmersGuardian
too. Top job
@JeremyClarkson
👏
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I’m sure by the end of this, everyone will have their own coronavirus story to tell.
For me and my partner, it’s having to postpone our wedding until next year. Unbelievably gutted.
Taking the rest of the week off to sort practicalities.
Stay safe people!
#coronavirus
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'Even if we didn’t want to consume livestock anymore, we’d still need them for soil health', Prof Michael Lee, sustainable ag expert.
He also discussed how grassland soils lock in more carbon than those in arable production.
A vegan world isn't a sustainable one
#NFUCymru19
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🧵 Concerns are growing about the independence of the Red Tractor governance review, after it emerged the assurance body was set to lead the investigation into itself 👇
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'David Davis was a Govt Minister until this summer & yet is so desperate for a hard Brexit he would throw hardworking UK farmers under a bus' - British farm groups stunned by ex-Brexit Sec's lobbying in Washington for trade deal beneficial to US farmers
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I'm on the hunt for new writers for the Farming Matters column in
@FarmersGuardian
.
If you have big opinions or a unique perspective on what's going on in the ag world, & can commit to writing 650 words for us every couple of months, I want to hear from you. DMs open.
Pls RT!
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Probably worth pointing out Therese Coffey is actually Dr Therese Coffey. She has a PhD in Chemistry from UCL. Scientist supporting science...?
#Glyphosate
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'It is simply a lie to say the public is subsidising livestock farmers to damage the environment... livestock farmers are delivering great food at reasonable prices & a whole suite of environmental, animal welfare & wider societal benefits' -
@georgewdunn
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'I think it is a fair point to say we need to talk more about food' - Gove admits Defra has neglected food production in policy formulation
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This is very exciting! Really proud to be one of the three new directors at OFC. Julia and Jude are very distinguished, so it’s a real honour to be among such great company. Can’t wait to get stuck in!
A warm welcome to our three new directors, who officially join the board from January 2023.
✴️
@FGAbiKay
- Head of News a
@FarmersGuardian
✴️ Julia Latto - Project Manager (Rural) at
@scotent
✴️ Jude McCann - CEO of
@FCNcharity
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@AliAliAfro
Thank you. This is one of the key recommendations at the end of the piece - for someone to look at how much British product goes into and out of a factory
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Big loss of farming knowledge in Parliament overnight, with experienced Defra hands and those with ag connections either losing their seats or not standing again.
More here 👇🏼
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🧵 It has almost been a whole year now since I joined Farmers Weekly… and what a year it’s been.
💫 Over the last 12 months, our amazing team has:
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I may be the only person to ever hold a shepherd's crook while wearing a Notorious BIG t-shirt, but in fairness, I was completely taken by surprise when I was given this award! In fact I was conned by the boss,
@FGoliviamidgley
😉Diolch
@FUW_UAC
, totally honoured 🏴💚
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I’m sorry, but ‘fall’ instead of ‘autumn’ is an Americanisation too far for me. Why have people started saying this. It’s ultimate cringe 😑
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'In about 30 months, the UK must have sorted how it is to be fed – by whom, on what terms, at what price, with what impact. At present, no-one seems to have a clue' - Damning stuff from
@ProfTimLang
who's written for our new
#Brexit
hub
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We had a pretty big admission from the Farming Minister at today's
@NFUtweets
conference, that the
#neonics
ban has actually INCREASED overall pesticide use. Can't say they weren't warned...
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Can we stop looking at farming as worthless pls
@timleunig
? It’s the bedrock of the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, sustains rural communities, provides environmental benefits & shapes cherished landscapes. Oh, & puts sustainable, safe, affordable, traceable food on your plate
OMG the arrogance is stupefying. If
@timleunig
believes we should not feed ourselves, why on earth should we impose that burden on other nations that are less able and less efficient than us at doing so?
#SackTimLeunig
@Minette_Batters
@NFUtweets
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This is so disappointing. FG has worked TIRELESSLY to scrutinise Defra‘s Brexit work over the past four years. Allowing farmers to share their views in clearly labelled opinion pieces does not make us a pro-Brexit magazine.
Shame that
@FarmersGuardian
are only now finally pointing out
#BrexitReality
What happened to all the articles telling us Brexit meant a bright future for farming?
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Absolutely FULL house for the first ever
@FarmersWeekly
Question Time at
@HarperAdamsUni
. Exciting times!
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Big news at the Royal Welsh from
@NFUCymru
today. Officeholders
@AledNfu
and
@AbiReader
say they won’t join the Sustainable Farming Scheme while the 10% tree cover requirement remains.
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The
@tenantfarmers
has called on the Chancellor to distance himself from his adviser's remarks that the UK doesn't need farmers.
Chief executive
@georgewdunn
has branded Dr Tim Leunig's claim that we should import all our food 'wild and wacky'
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Some more cheerful Christmas news for you this morning: New research shows badger culling has contributed to 58% decrease in TB in cattle in Gloucestershire & a 21% drop in Somerset
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This will go down well.
"You're not backing down on offending every pig farmer in the country then?"
Tom Newton Dunn puts Boris Johnson on the spot over his row with pig farmers at
#cpc21
.
@tnewtondunn
|
@BorisJohnson
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@LizWebsterLD
Thanks Liz and yes, it’s really them we owe everything to. I’m hoping we can get some change off the back of this 🙏🙏🙏
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It’s a step in the right direction, but not enough. We need a short number whistleblower line and for it to be on display in all factories, with accompanying information in multiple languages. This is one of the key asks of
@FarmersWeekly
’s Meat: Our Expectations campaign
It's taken an investigation by
@FWAbiKay
and
@FarmersWeekly
for the Government to finally add
@foodgov
National Food Crime Unit's details to the Whistleblowing: List of prescribed people and bodies
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'1p coming back to the farm gate from the price of a loaf of bread would be the equivalent of £100 a hectare, which is 50% of BPS' - MPs urged to ensure farmers get a fair price for food before getting rid of direct payments
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Full story on membership of the Trade & Ag Commission.
Hardly any real trade experts (wasn't that the point?), a couple of people with a very pro-US outlook on food, one with a questionable interest in UK ag, no green NGO representation & zero academics 👇
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Well done
@sainsburys
! All fresh lamb to be 100 per cent British as of July 1 2017
#BackBritishFarming
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Farm groups have reacted with fury to reports that the Govt is planning to accept US food safety standards at an upcoming WTO meeting, sidestepping parliamentary scrutiny 👇
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Two weeks ago, Farming Minister Victoria Prentis told me Govt wasn't going to set up a Trade Commission because it wasn't 'necessary'.
Looks like the House of Lords doesn't agree 👇
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I’m not one for positive discrimination, but there’s no need for it in ag. Every woman I’ve met in this industry has been dedicated, capable & a match for her male colleagues. Today’s a day to celebrate what we’ve achieved, what better day to launch this campaign?
#IWD2019
#WFA19
Today marks a very special launch to celebrate
#IWD2019
We are proud to unveil our new campaign and international Summit Women in Food & Agriculture!
#WFA19
#BalanceforBetter
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Who knew? 🤷♀️ People care about food production standards
Liam Fox has just told MPs that there were over 600k responses to the recent trade consultations (which included future US/UK deal). He says the biggest to a UK consultation ever. Top issue? Food standards.
#chlorinechicken
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Boris Johnson's promise to leave the EU 'no ifs, no buts' on Oct 31 is 'hitting home' on the continent, as retailers seek to avoid paying tariffs on meat by refusing to sign contracts with UK exporters, warns
@BMPA_INFO
chief exec Nick Allen
UK farmers facing 25% lamb price drop as continental buyers shun contracts, writes
@FGAbiKay
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Absolutely LOVE it when we get to do something different with the front cover.
@inkydotdave
is an extraordinary talent.
Remember to go buy yourself a copy of
@FarmersWeekly
today, or if you want to subscribe for more hard-hitting exclusives, you can here
🗞️ Our front cover this week very much focused on the growing Red Tractor anger…
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Please, please read this thread in full.
I’m so disappointed to read comments on this. In my late teens, having missed high school years due to ill health I was lonely & needed friends. Young farmers seemed a great way to meet them, I lasted a few months, ostracised for not being a big drinker & not leaning into the
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Another food fraud story... this time in the poultry sector. An English chicken supplier has allegedly been passing off housed birds as free range. The National Food Crime Unit is also looking into food safety breaches at the same business.
CLICK IMAGE 👇
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Almost every woman I know has a story to tell about men behaving inappropriately.
This thread 👇🏼 is spot on.
Power dynamics are heightened in professional settings, making it difficult for us to respond as we might usually.
So men, if you see something untoward,
#CallItOut
Folks. My twitter has been BUSY following my reply to a FW letter. Since I didn't intend to focus attention on me, but rather the issue of misogyny, it seems like a good opportunity to say a little more while I have the platform.
And so, a thread...
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Very pleased to share the first of several
#LevelTheField
guides, providing support to farm businesses to help make agriculture more equitable & inviting for women.
This guide looks at why women are good for farm business & how to hire more of them 👇🏼
.
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Day 2 of
#NFU24
⬇️ Polling shows Tories are in trouble in the countryside
🔴 No new policy 🐰 out of the 🎩 from Labour - previously announced plans on energy, planning & a vet agreement w/ the EU reiterated
🔸Only applause for LD's Tim Farron so far, on multiple occasions
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In this week’s edition of
@FarmersGuardian
, we’re kicking off a new 12-month series looking at regen ag, Farming With Nature. We’ve got loads of exciting content planned, but I’m keen to hear from you if you can offer interesting/fresh perspectives on the following themes: (1/2)
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Been at
#CountryfileLive
approx 10 seconds and already have more cheese than I know what to do with 🙄
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Shadow Defra Secretary
@JimfromOldham
asked Therese Coffey to apologise for her conduct at NFU conference in the HoC this morning (she did not respond in topical Qs as speaker suggested she could)
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'Until there is something tangible in place, they should stop the rundown of BPS... otherwise there is going to be structural change in the industry. If people go out of business... that impact on culture, land management and landscape will be irreversible'
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Wow. Confirmation of what we suspected.
Boris Johnson intervened twice to stop the Derbyshire badger cull from going ahead after his partner, Carrie Symonds, met the Badger Trust.
I am shocked that the NFU's legal challenge wasn't upheld. This isn't the way to make policy.
Boris Johnson intervened twice to put pressure on the farming minister to save Derbyshire’s badgers after Carrie Symonds had taken an interest in stopping farmers from culling them
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En route to the
@FarmersWeekly
awards!
My first ever farming awards ceremony. Very excited 🎉🎈
Hands up if you’re coming 🙋🏼♀️ And please say hello if you see me later 👋🏼
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When you win a 7-night luxury holiday in Orlando from filling out a survey... Happy Friday to me! 🥂🎉😃
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'There is a real sense that this is an opportunity for farmers to send a message and be heard. I don't think N Shropshire has ever had quite so many orange diamonds sticking out of its fields during an election before. It definitely feels like something is happening' -
@timfarron
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V interesting story on the Ag Bill - it'll get a kicking in the Lords. Peers have branded it 'unconstitutional' because of the sweeping powers it gives Ministers to bring in post-Brexit policy 'through the backdoor' w/out debate or amendment. One to watch
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EXCL: 💣 Explosive goings-on at the RT beef & lamb sector board meeting yesterday.
❌ Vote of no confidence passed in the assurance scheme's executive
🗳️ Farmer & processor reps voted for, AHDB abstained, retailers voted against
Full story here 👇
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You’ll no doubt have heard Keir Starmer appointed Steve Reed to be his shadow Defra secretary yesterday.
But as a London MP, what are his views on farming?
I’ve done the leg work so you don’t have to 👇🏼
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