Farming UK reports that Britain’s farmers face a significant regulatory shift under proposed plans by Sir Keir Starmer to realign more closely with the EU. A post-Brexit bill would introduce “dynamic alignment”, tying the UK to future EU rules on food standards, animal welfare and pesticides, without MPs voting on each change. Ministers argue this would ease exports by reducing border friction, while critics warn it undermines sovereignty. If passed, the legislation could reshape farming regulation, market access and competitiveness ahead of a wider UK-EU reset planned for 2027.

Farmers Weekly reports that the Society of Agriculture (SocAg) launched on 1 January, bringing together the Institute of Agricultural Management and the British Institute of Agricultural Consultants. Its main aim is to achieve chartered status for agricultural consultants and managers, raising professionalism, accountability and leadership across the sector. SocAg chairman Simon Britton said chartership would give agriculture greater credibility and a stronger voice with government, industry and the public. The new organisation aims to unite farming, consultancy, rural business and environmental expertise into a single, independent professional body.

Farming Online reports that the Farming Profitability Review 2025, led by Baroness Minette Batters, sets out 57 recommendations to strengthen the resilience and viability of farm businesses in England. The review highlights the sector’s role in economic renewal, calling for better use of data, simpler regulation and targeted innovation support. Government has responded by creating a new Farming and Food Partnership Board to strengthen farmer voices, boost domestic food production, attract investment and improve supply chain fairness, alongside continued support through funding, planning reform and trade initiatives.

Farmers Weekly reports that the latest 30 research projects under the government’s Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (Adopt) programme, backed by nearly £2.3m, have been announced by Defra farming minister Dame Angela Eagle, including new technology trials tackling emissions, productivity, and resilience. The trials aim to explore new ideas in real working farm conditions, from lower-emission machinery to digital tools that support day-to-day farm management.

Farmers Weekly reports that a new Oxford Farming Conference report warns UK farms must make tough decisions to survive in a post-subsidy world. Written by Dr Louise Manning, it argues farm businesses must become “investible products” by adopting clear strategies, succession plans and stronger business discipline. The report calls for a shift from short-term survival to opportunity-led thinking, while criticising the lack of a coherent, long-term national food strategy. It highlights collaboration, honest appraisal of enterprises and mindset change as essential to restoring confidence, investment and long-term farm viability.

Farmers Guardian reports that the NFU has urged the Government to ensure new EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) negotiations do not undermine UK farmers. As talks begin, the union is calling for variable, phased transition periods and exemptions from dynamic alignment to reflect UK policy differences since Brexit. NFU president Tom Bradshaw said smoother trade with the EU is welcome but warned some areas, including precision breeding, bovine TB vaccination and crop protection, must be treated carefully to safeguard innovation, food production and farm businesses.

Science Business reports that EU member states and the European Parliament have reached a provisional agreement on long-awaited rules for new genomic techniques (NGTs) such as gene editing. The deal creates a two-tier system, treating some gene-edited plants like conventionally bred crops while keeping stricter GMO rules for more complex traits. Sustainability criteria and end-product labelling demands were dropped, but herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant traits are excluded. A full patent ban was rejected, instead introducing transparency and safeguards. Supporters say the deal boosts innovation and climate resilience, while critics warn of increased corporate control.

Farming UK reports that Spain has confirmed its first African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in 31 years after two wild boar near Barcelona tested positive, raising major concerns for EU pig markets and UK border security. Authorities have launched containment measures and warned farmers to tighten biosecurity as investigations continue.

Farmers Weekly reports that UK dairy farming delivers nutritional, economic and environmental benefits, according to a new AHDB report, Balancing health and sustainability: The role of dairy in the UK diet. The report highlights dairy’s key role in supplying essential nutrients, while well-managed livestock systems support carbon storage, habitat management and improved soil health. Emissions intensity of UK milk production, which accounts for 2.8% of UK GHG emissions, has fallen by 22% since 1990.

Eastern Daily Press reports that Norfolk MP George Freeman says gene-editing technologies could help protect poultry from the severe bird flu outbreaks that have led to mass culls across the eastern region this autumn. With seven cases in Norfolk and five in Suffolk, Mr Freeman is calling for early implementation of the new Precision Breeding Act for farmed animals. Promising UK-based research is estimated to be just two years away from developing gene-edited chickens which are fully immune and which do not pass on the virus. But those potential benefits will remain unrealised in practice until the government brings forward the legislation needed to activate the Precision Breeding Act for farmed animals, as it has for plants.

Farming UK reports that UK livestock farmers have cut veterinary antibiotic sales to the lowest level on record, marking major progress in tackling antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The latest VARSS report shows a 57% reduction over ten years, driven by improved herd and flock management and coordinated industry action. Resistance levels are also falling across species, bringing both health and financial benefits for farms. The UK remains one of Europe’s lowest users of veterinary antibiotics, strengthening its position with retailers and supply chains.

Farming UK reports that the Precision Breeding Act, which comes into force today, creates a new, more streamlined regulatory pathway for gene-edited crops in England, opening up prospects to boost yields, disease resistance, climate resilience and reduce chemical use. The APPG on Science and Technology in Agriculture welcomed the move as an important step towards accelerating innovation, strengthening food security and aligning the UK with countries already regulating gene-edited crops separately from GMOs. But the Group cautioned that these hard-won gains must not be compromised by future UK–EU alignment discussions or any cross-border Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement.