In the News

Save British Farming in the news

September – Present

25th October

Prue Leith quits Conservatives because of Gov's food standards stance

Prue Leith, 80, backed Mail on Sunday campaign against inferior food imports She has cancelled her Conservative Party membership due to the Government Her MP son Danny Kruger voted with the Government on the Agriculture Bill Prue Leith has quit the Conservative Party after the Government blocked an attempt to enshrine high food standards in law.

24th October

Tractors drive through Marlborough in protest against MP's vote

Tractors rumbled through the streets of Marlborough today as farmers accused the government of "selling us down the river." Local MP Danny Kruger recently voted to reject the House of Lords' amendment to the Agricultural Bill - which Save British Farming (SBF) say would protect the country from imports with lower animal welfare and food safety standards than the UK's.

Wiltshire farmers protest against lower-standard imports

Tractor-driving farmers took to the streets of a Wiltshire town on Friday warning the government not to sell the industry down the river post-transition period. Farmers protested against local MP Danny Kruger, who this month voted to reject a Lords' Agriculture Bill amendment which sought to uphold British food standards.

23rd October

Tractors hit Wiltshire town to 'save' British food standards - Farmers Weekly

Tractor demo in Marlborough © Save British Farming Angry farmers have driven their tractors through a Wiltshire market town to protest against threats to British food standards in future trade deals with the US and other countries. Demonstrators from the campaign group, Save British Farming (SBF), farmers and their supporters staged the tractor demo in Marlborough on Friday afternoon (23 October).

Tractor demo for food standards in Marlborough today

Farmers in Marlborough are set to demonstrate in their tractors today (Friday). They are gathering to urge MP Danny Kruger to support food standards. Mr Kruger voted to reject the House of Lords' amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would protect British farmers from imports with lower animal welfare and food safety standards than the UK's.

22nd October

Survey reveals deep concern over trade deal threats to farming - Farmers Weekly

© AdobeStock/spiritofamerica Farmers are deeply concerned about what the future holds for British agriculture amid an ongoing row over post-Brexit food standards, according to the early findings of a survey by campaign group Save British Farming (SBF).

Shock as Red Tractor chair votes 'to lower food standards' - Farmers Weekly

Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe © Richard Gardner/Shutterstock Farm leaders have expressed disbelief after the chair of the company behind the Red Tractor Assurance scheme voted against measures aimed at protecting British farmers from cheap food imports post Brexit. Baroness Lucy Neville-Rolfe was appointed as chair of Assured Food Standards (ASF), the company which owns Red Tractor Assurance, in November 2017.

21st October

Peers' vote signals growing discontent on food standards - Farmers Weekly

© James Veysey/Shutterstock Peers have again signalled their discontent with the government's stance on post-Brexit food standards in the Agriculture Bill. Tory peers joined Labour and Liberal Democrats in the House of Lords to vote on Tuesday (20 October) to accept two amendments to the Agriculture Bill which seek to protect the livelihoods of British farmers.

18th October

Corporate greed must be challenged

TRADE DEAL negotiations are paving the way for corporate profit at the expense of food standards and the future of the planet. This accusation from lobby group Farmers for Action (FFA), follows the decision by MPs not to enshrine food standards in British law, which they say is only half of the story, calling out the Government for creating unnecessary carbon footprints.

Farmers make final bid for government to protect post-Brexit food standards

Published: 10:18 AM October 18, 2020 The National Farmers' Union (NFU) has called on parliament to adopt an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which they say will protect UK food standards in future trade deals.

17th October

Farming fury at Westminster's door

Tractors assembled outside the Houses of Parliament on Monday as MPs gathered for a monumental vote which could change the future of food and farming as we know it. Read more - Farming's black monday

16th October

What possessed the Tories to defy the will of the people on food and farming standards? - West Country Bylines

We - 95 per cent of us - want to keep our high food standards. Likewise, 92 per cent of us want both food and animal welfare standards maintained in future trade agreements. And 86 per cent of us fear food produced to low standards and banned here would find its way into institutional food [...]

'Court of public opinion' will force Government's hand on standards

The 'court of public opinion' will force the Government's hand on standards, president of NFU Scotland Andrew McCornick has said. Abi Kay Abi took up the post of chief reporter at Farmers Guardian after a stint working for the NFU as part of its government affairs team.

15th October

Farmers asked to make voices heard in Ag Bill survey - Farmers Weekly

© Shutterstock/Guy Bell Campaign group Save British Farming (SBF) is seeking farmers' views on the Agriculture Bill and whether they are satisfied with the UK government's position. The House of Commons this week voted against a Lords amendment to the bill, which by law would have required imported food to meet UK animal welfare and food safety rules.

'They have decided to undermine our industry and allow food that is produced to lower environmental and welfare standards into our shops' - farmer hits out at Agriculture Bill vote

A bid to enshrine food safety into law and require imported food to meet domestic legal standards was defeated this week with the help of all Suffolk and north Essex MPs - except one.

NFU president meets Boris Johnson to debate food standards

The president of the National Farmers' Union (NFU) has stressed the need for action to safeguard British farming's high standards in a sit-down meeting with the Prime Minister.

14th October

Farmers' union vows to protect industry as concerns over US imports grow

The National Farmers' Union said it will continue with its campaign to ensure future trade deals do not lead to an increase in food imports that would be illegal to produce in the UK.

"It is the biggest betrayal to British farming since the civil war

The industry has reacted with disappointment after an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have banned low-standard food imports was rejected Register now for 2 free articles every 7 days.

13th October

Government accused of 'letting farmers down' after stripping Bill of animal welfare protections

Animal rights campaigners accused the Government of breaking its manifesto promises after it successfully overturned a bid to protect the UK's animal welfare standards in future trade deals on Monday. Ministers were accused of "letting British farmers down" after they succeeded in stripping out a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill, which would have ensured agricultural and food imports meet domestic standards.

MPs reject calls by campaigners to enshrine food safety in UK law

Farmers and food campaigners were defeated on Monday night in their attempts to enshrine high food safety and animal welfare practices in British law.

Brexit warning: British farmers sound alarm on post-EU food plan and reveal key fears

British farmers protested outside of Parliament this week insisting that food standards should not drop post- Brexit. The Save British Farming group protested with trucks and tractors outside of Parliament and demanded the Government give assurances food standards would not slip in future trade deals.

Government overturns measures aiming to guarantee UK food standards in new law

MPs have overturned measures aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals, despite a Tory backlash in the Commons. They voted 332 votes to 279, majority 53, to disagree with a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards.

MPs vote to overturn measures aimed at protecting UK food standards

On Monday (October 12), MPs voted to overturn measures aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals. The House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards but it was rejected by 332 votes to 279, despite 14 Tory rebels supporting the clause.

Farmers hit out as MPs reject calls to protect food standards

Farmers have been defeated in their efforts to enshrine Britain's exemplar food production and animal welfare standards in law after MPs rejected an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have banned low-standard imports.

Stroud MP votes to overturn farming bill amendments aimed at protecting food standards

MPS HAVE overturned measures aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals, despite a Tory backlash in the Commons. MPs voted 332 votes to 279, majority 53, to disagree with a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards.

A 'terrible, retrograde step for UK farming' - UNITElive.org

What is more important than the safety of the food we put into our mouths each day? UK farming is renowned for its stringent standards, but now, with yesterday's (October 12) passing of the Agriculture Bill, how sure can we of the quality of the food we eat?

Agriculture bill: Bid to protect post-Brexit food standards rejected

Fourteen pro-farming Tory MPs rebelled in a Commons vote last night attempting to impose a legal bar preventing the government from watering down food standards. The rebels were: Peter Aldous ... George Freeman ... Tracey Crouch ... Roger Gale ... Simon Hoare ... Neil Hudson ... Jason McCartney ...

12th October

C4 coverage of SBF tractor demo and Agriculture Bill amendments vote, including interview with Liz Webster.

C4 News

Farmers hope Lords will strengthen UK food safety standards

Farmers and green campaigners are pinning their hopes on the House of Lords to make last-minute changes to the government's agriculture bill to strengthen safeguards on food safety and animal welfare.

National Farmers' Union says future of British food 'at stake' as Bill re-enters Lords

The National Farmers' Union has claimed the "future of British food and farming is at stake" ahead of the Agriculture Bill entering the House of Lords for a second time this week.

Commons defeat for Brexit food standards amendment despite warnings | ITV News

Tory rebels have failed to secure an amendment to the Agriculture Bill which had sought to protect UK food standards in post-Brexit trade deals, amid warnings over chlorinated chicken or hormone-treated beef entering the UK market. MPs voted by a majority of 53 to overturn the House of Lords amendment which would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards.

Carcinogens could be added to bread in post-Brexit US trade deal, campaigners warn

A new report titled: US-UK trade deal: The hidden damage to public health has listed several known carcinogens used in bread manufacturing in the US which could find their way into Britain. Toxic additives including potassium bromate and azodicarbonamide are both used as leavening agents in pre-packaged bread with their use as a food additive banned by the EU decades ago.

Tractor protest planned as MPs prepare to vote on food standards in trade deals

Farmers demanding that food standards are upheld in post-Brexit trade deals are to make their voices heard during a tractor demonstration in central London. The agricultural vehicles will assemble at New Covent Garden from 1pm on Monday as part of a protest planned by campaign group Save British Farming.

Save our food standards and save British farming - North East Bylines

Being asked to 'trust' the government simply beggars belief. The government would be seen to be trustworthy if it simply implemented the safeguards put forward in the amendment! Parliament is made up of elected honourable servants. It is their duty of care to protect the people's interests and respect their wishes.

Farmers stage Westminster tractor protest over threat to British food standards

FARMERS driving tractors staged a demonstration in Westminster today to press their demand for current food standards to be enshrined in law once Brexit takes full effect. The protest, organised by campaign group Save British Farming, warned against"low welfare" products such as chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef being imported from the United States.

Tractor protest planned as MPs prepare to vote on food standards in trade deals

Farmers demanding that food standards are upheld in post-Brexit trade deals are to make their voices heard during a tractor demonstration in central London. The agricultural vehicles will assemble at New Covent Garden from 1pm on Monday as part of a protest planned by campaign group Save British Farming.

Government overturns measures aiming to guarantee UK food standards in new law - The Courier

MPs have overturned measures aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals, despite a Tory backlash in the Commons. They voted 332 votes to 279, majority 53, to disagree with a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards.

Government overturns measures aiming to guarantee UK food standards in new law - Evening Express

MPs have overturned measures aimed at protecting UK food standards in future trade deals, despite a Tory backlash in the Commons. They voted 332 votes to 279, majority 53, to disagree with a House of Lords amendment to the Agriculture Bill which would have required agricultural and food imports to meet domestic standards.

Tractor protest planned as MPs prepare to vote on food standards in trade deals : ukpolitics

Farmers demanding that food standards are upheld in post-Brexit trade deals are to make their voices heard during a tractor demonstration in central London. The agricultural vehicles will assemble at New Covent Garden from 1pm on Monday as part of a protest planned by campaign group Save British Farming.

Tractor protest in London today as MPs prepare to vote on food standards

Farmers demanding that food standards are upheld in post-Brexit trade deals are to make their voices heard during a tractor demonstration in central London. The agricultural vehicles will assemble at New Covent Garden from 1pm today as part of a protest planned by campaign group Save British Farming.

Farmers to hold 'Save British Farming' protest over Brexit risk to food standards

Published: 12:06 PM October 12, 2020 Farmers are to hold a protest outside parliament to make their voices heard over the threat of Brexit deals to their livelihoods as MPs prepare to vote on the government's Agriculture Bill.

Save British Farming protest a reminder of farming's vital role - Carmichael

The government must change course and protect UK farming standards, said Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael. Meeting with campaigners from Save British Farming today in Westminster, he stressed that a no-deal would inevitably lead to a decrease in exports following the UK's departure from the EU, while risking a "double-whammy" of lowered standards in goods from the US.

9th October

FARMERS' PROTEST: 'We don't want have chlorinated chicken on sale here'

Farmers brought their tractors to the streets of Swindon to protest in a bid to keep chlorinated chicken off shops' shelves. They are calling on the government and South Swindon MP Robert Buckland to back the agriculture bill on Monday. They say the bill will prevent the lowering of food standards entering the UK, such as the highly-publicised chlorinated chicken.

Why the streets of Stokesley were filled with tractors

A slow-moving protest was held in North Yorkshire against lower-standard food imports. Farmers turned out to drive their tractors and trucks through Stokesley to "save Britain from chlorinated chicken and hormone-fuelled beef." They are protesting against the government's Agriculture Bill, which they say will "ditch British animal welfare and environmental standards for farm imports, flood the UK market with cheap, low-quality food and destroy Britain's farming industry."

Harrogate MP faces protest today from campaign to 'Save British Farmers'

A campaign to save British farming from the possibility of a lowering of the protection for food standards as the Government reaches for a trade deal with the USA is to mount a protest today, Friday at the offices of Harrogate and Knaresborough's MP.

Farmers out in force to protest against damaging US trade deals

FARMERS were out in force to lobby the Government days ahead of a crucial Bill going before Parliament. MPs are set to debate the Agriculture Bill on Monday after the House of Lords recommended amendments to ensure imported produce is of the same standard expected of British farmers.

8th October

Liz Webster’s farm and our SBF banners featured in this BBC news item.

BBC News

Farmers driving through Swindon on tractors to protest proposed law changes

Farmers in tractors will demonstrate in Swindon on Friday as part of a nationwide campaign against government plans for post-Brexit trade deals with Donald Trump and others. The group claims this could have devastating consequences for local farmers and people in the region.

Trade secretary Liz Truss says government will "undermine" farmers in Commons gaffe

TRADE secretary Liz Truss said farmers would be "undermined" in a gaffe during questions from MPs. The International Trade Secretary was answering a question from shadow trade secretary Emily Thornberry on farming standards, when she said: "Of course, in any trade deal, we strike we will be taking into account our high standards, to make sure our farmers are undermined."

3rd October

Scarecrows make a stand for food standards in Dewsbury as part of conservation charity WWF-UK campaign

The Bill received its third reading in the Lords on Thursday concluding its passage through the House which has seen the agreement of amendments including increased powers for the Trade and Agricultural Commission. With the Bill heading back to the House of Commons, there have also been increasing calls for the Government and individual MPs to 'back British farming' and protect food standards.

Yorkshire family farms 'could go to the wall because of trade deal with US'

The Government has been warned that smaller family farms in Yorkshire could go out of business unless measures are taken to protect the region from cheap imports flooding the market when a post-Brexit trade deal is signed with the US.

1st October

Food standards; time for MPs to take a stand on behalf of farmers - Timothy Kirkhope

No wonder then that MPs steeped in farming like Neil Parish - the much-respected chair of the Defra committee in Parliament - and York Outer's Julian Sturdy understand the importance of agriculture to the UK economy.

30th September

Brexit voters to blame for threat to high food standards - Yorkshire Post Letters

I READ of the tractor-borne protest in Northallerton (The Yorkshire Post, September 26) against the fear that post-Brexit Britain will allow inferior meat and produce to be imported whilst our home-produced foods will be banned from much of our current export market.

25th September

Farmers' tractor demo targets Rishi Sunak over 'dodgy' US meat imports

Demonstrators targeted Chancellor and Richmond MP's Rishi Sunak's constituency on Friday in an effort to put pressure on North Yorkshire MPs to "do the right thing" and get behind British farmers, as well as consumers and "everybody who cares about food".

Tractors descend and supporters rally for farmers concerned about Brexit deals

A CONVOY of tractors, placards and passionate speeches helped farmers send a clear message to the Government about post-Brexit trade deals with America. The rally in Northallerton, organised by Save British Farmers, saw tractors and farm vehicles descend on the high street, while supporters and speakers gathered on the Market Place.

24th September

Farm groups keen to keep up the pressure

Daily Post (Wales)

21st September

Protests planned as parliament debates Ag Bill - Farmers Weekly

© ANDY RAIN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Farmers who fear their livelihoods will be undermined by cheap food imports are planning more protests as parliament debates the government's Agriculture Bill. The Save British Farming campaign group says a convoy of tractors will support a protest rally in the North Yorkshire market town of Northallerton on Friday (25 September).

Farmers plan second London demo as Agriculture Bill finalises

Save British Farming (SBF) is hosting a second demonstration to coincide with the return of the Agriculture Bill in the House of Commons. The government's landmark post-Brexit Bill is nearing the final stage of the legislative process, before it gains Royal Assent. The SBF is planning on a 'socially-distanced tractor demonstration', to take place on Monday 28 September.

Failing farming - East Midlands Bylines

Covid-19 and Brexit have one thing in common. They can fully consume our minds and displace everything else. Worse, we are defining ourselves and our fellow citizens by how we view Covid-19 and Brexit. Consensus on the contrasting views seems impossible. But one thing the opposing groups will agree on is the importance of food [...]

19th September

Farmers plan another food standards tractor demo in London - Farmers Weekly

A convoy of tractors during the first protest in July this year © Guy Bell/Shutterstock Save British Farming (SBF) is urging farmers to drive their tractors or other farm vehicles to London for a second protest against government plans to lower UK food production standards in future trade deals.

Anglesey Farmers join day of action to defend Welsh farming and food standards

This Saturday, 19th of September, farmers and supporters across Wales, will be rallying to defend Welsh farming and food standards, which are threatened by post Brexit trade deals. There will be a demonstration next to Menai Bridge (Anglesey side) at 2pm, while in Cowbridge, Builth Wells and Crymych, farmers will assemble for tractor "go slow" demos.

12th September

Save British Farming and No to No Deal protest in Newcastle - North East Bylines

This is the Haymarket, Newcastle. Nowadays it is a metro station at the end of a busy shopping street. As the name suggests this area was for many years the scene of a market selling hay and straw, a reminder of our agricultural past. Long ago but still remembered and timely to do so in [...]

11th September

No deal Brexit would be 'double economic blow'

PROTESTERS in the Tyne Valley have warned against a no deal Brexit. A group staged a peaceful demonstration in Hexham town centre on Saturday, citing concerns over the North-East's economy if the government was unable to reach a trade deal with the European Union.

10th September

Plumpton College joins call to Save British Farming - Sussex Bylines

Plumpton College joined a national call to Save British Farming yesterday amid claims that the double-whammy of the government's agriculture bill and a no-deal Brexit could drive one in three farms out of business by 2025. Local campaigners warned that smaller farms would be worst hit.

Save British Farming - West England Bylines

SaveBritishFarming That's the Twitter hashtag for an important Save British Farming campaign this autumn to protect the livelihood of British farmers against a number of threats posed by Brexit. The biggest threat is the potential import of cheaper, lower standard food products, which would undercut the British farming industry.

9th September

SBF Founder Liz Webster on her Wiltshire farm with Consultant Dietitian Sophie Red on Back British Farming Day

ITV News

SBF Founder Liz Webster in the news

BBC Radio Wiltshire

In Exeter, Devon for Europe met to protest and a Devon farmer explained how a no-deal Brexit would make her go out of business.

BBC South West

Back British Farming Day: Farmers urge MPs to safeguard standards

Farmers are using Back British Farming Day to demand that MPs protect Britain's food standards from being undercut by cheaper imports. MPs are being urged to safeguard the UK's high food, environmental and animal welfare standards as the end of the Brexit transition period nears.

Farming News - Save British Farming asks the public to write to their MP about food standards

The Save British Farming campaign group is urging farmers and the public to write to your MP asking them to safeguard food and animal welfare standards on Back British Farming Day using their template letter.

Farming protesters call on government to protect UK food standards as trade talks continue

Charlotte Bond Save British Farming (SBF) campaigners gathered at the Ipswich Cornhill to join a national protest supporting the home-grown agricultural industry and warning against a 'no-deal' exit from the European Union.

5th September

'No deal blues = more food queues - North East Bylines

Local residents from the North East held a socially distanced protest in Hexham Market Place on Saturday morning. This was joining the other 3.5% events taking place across the country. The 3.5% represents the number of people it takes for peaceful protest to succeed and has quickly taken off as a movement primarily against the [...]

3rd September

Farms could fold in no-deal Brexit, warns top economist - Farmers Weekly

A former NFU chief economist has warned that one in three farms could be driven out of business within five years in the event of a no-deal Brexit. Sean Rickard said half of all farms were already unprofitable - and would be even less so after the government phased out direct payments to growers and livestock producers.

2nd September

Farming News - Save British Farming asks the public to write to their MP about food standards

The Save British Farming campaign group is urging farmers and the public to write to your MP asking them to safeguard food and animal welfare standards on Back British Farming Day using their template letter.