Farm unions welcome assurance review

The four UK farming unions have welcomed progress made following a review of farm assurance schemes, but highlighted that several areas still require urgent action.

The review, led by former Harper Adams Vice Chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn was commissioned in response to the backlash from farmers against plans by Red Tractor to introduce new environmental standards into its assurance schemes.

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Initially published in January 2025, progress reports have followed in October and again in May 2026.

In a joint statement, the farming unions pinpointed the issue of environmental measurement and the need for consensus around an industry-led approach to “ensure reporting has a clear purpose, provides genuine value and involves farmers and growers from day one”.

The statement also highlighted the “unsustainable audit burden” on crop growers and the need for government to step up and recognise the value of farm assurance.

Royal fund to partner with Rural Support

The Royal Countryside Fund has announced a new £20,000 partnership with long-time partner Rural Support to help deliver its Farm Resilience Programme in NI.

The programme has been running for 10 years, and has supported 287 family farms across NI during that period and 5,722 farms across the UK.

A new cohort of NI farmers will be able to join the programme this autumn and can avail of business health checks and take part in business skills workshops. Farmers from an existing group will progress to environmental workshops.

More information is available at www.royalcountrysidefund.org.uk.

Moira farm to host Arable NI

Legmore Farms outside Moira is the host venue for Arable NI, which takes place next Wednesday 3 June, with registration open from 11.30am.

Organised by the Ulster Arable Society, CAFRE and the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU), the headline sponsor for the event is Fane Valley.

Afternoon conference speakers include Lincolnshire farmer and podcaster, Andrew Ward, as well as Teagasc researcher, Dr Stephen Kildea, with an expert panel discussion chaired by former Irish Farmers Journal tillage editor, Andy Doyle.

There will also be outdoor and indoor exhibitors as well as demonstration areas covering issues such as soil health and compaction, sprayers, and grain drying and storage. The event will conclude with an evening meal.

Tickets cost £40 and can be bought via the events section of the UFU website (www.ufuni.org).