05/02/26 EFRA Committee report on EU/UK agri-food trade deal, seed science, starting out in agriculture

MPs are calling on the Government to have a ‘national conversation’ on the new EU/UK agri-food trade agreement, so farmers don't end up disadvantaged. The new trade agreement is expected to come into place by 2027. But there are concerns the deal will bring the need for re-alignment of rules, as since Brexit the UK has diverged on things like animal welfare, gene editing and pesticide regulation. The Environment Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee is warning the Government must seek ‘carve outs’ or exemptions on alignment to "avoid unnecessary burdens and undercutting of farmers".

Human health scientists have been working with plant scientists to discover, for the first time, how a plant passes down information to the seeds it’s developing. Researchers at the John Innes Centre and The Earlham Institute in Norwich, say 'mother' plants use hormonal messaging to prime their seeds for the climate and nutrient environment they're likely to face when they germinate. 

All week we're talking to people starting out in agriculture. Even if you grow up on a family farm, it can be a good idea to go and try working somewhere else, to broaden your skills.

Presented by Anna Hill and produced by Beatrice Fenton.