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Scottish and UK Ministers have locked horns in a bitter battle over the future protection of food standards.

Celebrity farmer and food campaigner Jimmy Doherty has told Íæż½ã½ã’s Over the Farm Gate podcast that Covid-19 has helped bring a new appreciation of farmers.

Industry leaders have reacted angrily to comments from the new Trade and Agriculture Commission chairman, who called for an end to the ‘alarmism’ around chlorinated chicken and hormone-treated beef on his first day in post.

Since I wrote my last article back in April things have changed considerably.

The Government has announced who will sit on the Trade and Agriculture Commission, with all farming unions across the UK represented.

As the Agriculture Bill passes through the House of Lords, peers will be seeking to make changes to strengthen it in several areas, says Baroness McIntosh.

As an Irish farmer, it is disappointing to see my UK counterparts are unwilling to get out on the streets to protest to protect food production standards, says County Meath beef farmer Eamon Cassells.

The UK’s relationship with the EU is the most important one for the farming industry, but it’s amazing how many people forget that, says Oliver Dowding, arable farmer and agricultural spokesman for the Green Party in the south west.

The poorest households in the UK are the least likely to want low standard food to be available as a result of new trade deals, research by Which? has found.

Aldi has become the latest retailer to vow ‘never’ to sell chlorinated chicken or hormone-injected beef, as part of its commitment to upholding the UK’s high food standards.