Angela Eagle returns to Defra, Welsh farm funding, sugar beet factory closure, David Barton tribute, & combine harvester fires

What does Dame Angela Eagle’s appointment as Defra secretary mean for UK agriculture?

This week, we examine the new secretary of state’s priorities, political influence and ability to secure the long-term budgets farmers say they need.

We also hear from NFU Sugar chairman Kit Papworth following British Sugar’s proposal to stop processing beet at its Cantley factory in Norfolk.

At the Royal Welsh Show, farmers respond to a three-year, £340m-a-year funding settlement for the Sustainable Farming Scheme.

We pay tribute to NFU livestock board chairman David Barton, hear how the drought is affecting harvest and examine rising farmgate prices.

And during Farm Safety Week, combine fire survivor Andrew Williamson explains why machinery can be replaced—but people cannot.

This episode is brought to you by seed breeder KWS.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

00:51 – What will Angela Eagle mean for farming?

05:58 – A farmer-friendly appointment at Defra?

07:37 – Cantley sugar factory faces closure