This week, police pledge tougher action on hare coursing after an Essex farmer suffers almost 200 incidents in eight months.

The government unveils plans to slash tariffs on 100 food items imported into the UK. We examine the impact of food price controls on UK farmers.

Beef sector leaders call for fairer pricing as the market eases ahead of the Beef Expo industry showcase at Melton Mowbray livestock market.

And we meet the farmer testing “firewater” – a Defra-funded ADOPT project aiming to make nitrogen from air, water and electricity.

Guests

Tom Bradshaw – NFU president
Neil Shand – chief executive, National Beef Association
Hugh Brown – chief executive, Gillstream Markets / Melton Mowbray Market
Matthew Register – Essex farmer
Robyn Munton – NFU vice-president
Tim Ellis – farmer involved in the Firewater ADOPT project

Chapters

01:04 – Food tariffs and price caps
01:43 – Tom Bradshaw warning
03:24 – Food import controls analysed
14:36 – Beef market analysis
27:30 – Hare-coursing crackdown
30:34 – Red diesel thefts and fuel duty
34:30 – Markets update
36:46 – Fertiliser from air and water

Useful links

• Targeted food tariff cuts
• NFU update on hare-coursing sentencing guidelines 
• NBA Beef Expo 2026 
• Adopt Project on firewater
• Farmers Weekly Market Prices

This episode of the Farmers Weekly Podcast is co-hosted by Johann Tasker, Louise Impey and Hugh Broom. Edited and produced by Johann Tasker.

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