What to expect from Andy Burnham's government, no murder charge over farm shooting, & UK chickpea challenge

What does an Andy Burnham government mean for UK agriculture?

This week, Westminster watcher Jeremy Moody examines the new prime minister’s farming credentials – and whether a land value tax could hit agricultural businesses.

We also examine the law on defending yourself and your property after prosecutors decide that a Derbyshire farmer who fatally shot an intruder will face no criminal charges.

Agricultural solicitor Aled Owen explains when force may be considered necessary and reasonable—and why picking up a firearm should always be a last resort.

Elsewhere, we bring you the latest harvest results, advice on handling exceptionally dry oilseed rape, this week’s livestock and arable prices, and an unusual field fire started by a buzzard.

And finally, could chickpeas become a profitable, climate-resilient break crop for UK growers? Louise Impey visits field-scale trials in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk to find out.

This episode is brought to you by plant breeder KWS.

Special Guests

Jeremy Moody – secretary and adviser, Central Association of Agricultural Valuers Matt Bull – product manager, KWS Aled Owen – agricultural solicitor and partner, HCR Law David White – Cambridgeshire arable farmer and chickpea trial grower Josiah Meldrum – Hodmedod’s Wholefoods Chapters

00:55 What does an Andy Burnham government mean for agriculture?

04:51 Could farmers face a land value tax?

08:45 Will rural Britain be heard?