Find Out More
There are a huge range of websites providing information about farming. Below are a selection of links you may find helpful.
ACRE is an independent Advisory Committee composed of leading scientists. Our main function is to give statutory advice to UK Government Ministers on the risks to human health and the environment from the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs). We also advise on the release of certain non-GM species of plants and animals that are not native to Great Britain.
AHDB's role is to help improve the efficiency and competitiveness of various agriculture and horticulture sectors within the UK. Its statutory functions encompass meat and livestock (cattle, sheep and pigs) in England; horticulture, milk and potatoes in Great Britain; cereals and oilseeds in the UK.
The role of ABC is to promote a reasoned and balanced debate about the use of agricultural biotechnology in the UK, to work with all interested stakeholders to provide a source of information and learning on agricultural biotechnology, and to play an active role in the public debate, providing information, taking on board opinions and addressing any concerns.
• To encourage and share more research to ensure a better understanding of the benefits that agricultural biotechnology can offer the UK.
The Agricultural Industries Confederation (AIC) is the leading trade association in the agrisupply industry. Formed in October 2003 between the merger of three existing trade associations the AIC has over 300 Members in the agrisupply trade and represents £6.5 billion turnover at farmgate.
Assured Chicken Production (ACP) is an industry-wide initiative that addresses all the important issues concerning the production of chicken.
It is an independently assessed assurance scheme designed to deliver confidence to the consumer. Standards have been written to include best practice in food safety, bird health, welfare and traceability.
Assured Produce makes up part of the £5.3 billion worth of Red Tractor assured food sold in major British supermarkets every year.
Visit the black grouse website to find out more about work to help black grouse across the UK as part of the ambitious UK Biodiversity Action Plan.
The Blackface Sheep Breeders Association aims to encourage the breeding of Blackface Sheep and to further the interests of its members and of the breed in all possible ways.
BPEX represents pig levy payers in England. BPEX is focused on enhancing the competitiveness, efficiency and profitability for English pig levy payers and driving demand for quality pork and pig meat products in Britain and globally. BPEX is a division of the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board
The British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS) is the body responsible for entering details of cattle registrations, movements and deaths onto the database. This site provides access to teh Cattle Tracing System On Line.
To form a platform from where independent chicken growers can inform the public accurately on the chicken products that are sold in the UK. We wish to make everyone aware that British chicken is produced to the highest standards; and to highlight the escalating use of imported chicken within the food service industry.
BCPC promotes the use of good science and technology in the understanding and application of effective and sustainable crop production.
The British Egg Information Service (BEIS) was set up by the British Egg Industry Council (BEIC) to provide information and answer questions about eggs. The BEIS distributes leaflets and recipe books, nutrition and food safety information, recipes and specific materials for the general public, teachers, caterers, health professionals and students.
The British Society of Plant Breeders is the representative body for the UK plant breeding industry. Formerly the Plant Royalty Bureau, the organisation was formed in 1966 after the UK Plant Varieties & Seeds Act 1964 established a legal framework for collecting seed royalties on protected varieties.
We are the national representative body for the veterinary profession with over 11,500 members. Our main functions are developing and delivering policy affecting the profession, promoting and protecting the profession in matters proposed by government and other external bodies, provision of services to our members.
The British Wool Marketing Board operates a central marketing system for UK fleece wool with the aim of achieving the best possible net returns for farmers.
Care farming promotes mental and physical health through giving people the opportunity to spend time working on the land.
The CIS is farmer-owned and farmer-controlled. Involving all the leading cattle organisations, our objective is to improve standards of service, accuracy and value throughout all dairy herd management information practices.
The Chemicals Regulation Directorate ( CRD) is a Directorate of the Health & Safety Executive ( HSE). We employ around 250 scientific, policy and support staff based at two locations; Mallard House York and Redgrave Court Bootle.
The Commission acts as an impartial tribunal in the regulation of crofting.
It aims to regulate crofting, promote occupancy of crofts, promote active land use, and shared management by crofters, as a means of sustaining and enhancing rural communities.
The Crop Protection Association is the UK trade body representing those companies engaged in manufacture, formulation and distribution of pesticide products for agriculture, forestry, horticulture, gardening, industrial, amenity and Local Authority uses.
The Dairy Council is a non-profit making organisation which provides science-based information on the role of dairy foods as part of a healthy balanced diet and lifestyle.
Dairyindustrynewsletter.com is the most concise and up-to-date news service for the international dairy industry
DairyCo was set up in April 2008 following a fundamental review of agricultural levy boards by Defra. The five existing levy boards (including the Milk Development Council) were replaced by one statutory levy board, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB) and DairyCo covers the milk sector.
The Commission undertakes a wide range of activities throughout Scotland. As well as exercising a range of regulatory functions (e.g. Authorisations, Statutory Returns), it publishes Best Practice Guidelines, consults and advises widely on Deer Management issues including Annual Cull Targets, promotes and actively participates in the operation of Deer Management Groups, undertakes and commissions research projects, conducts deer counts, disseminates best practice, assists in training, works with other agencies on wider policy issues, and advises Scottish Ministers on all deer matters in Scotland. In all its activities the Commission seeks a co-operative and consultative approach.
The UK government department responsible for the environment, for food and farming, and for rural matters
EUR-Lex provides direct free access to European Union law. Here you can consult the Official Journal of the European Union as well as the treaties, legislation, case-law and legislative proposals. You can also use the extensive search facilities available on EUR-Lex.
As the institution responsible for price stability in the euro area, the ECB is committed to communicating as clearly and fully as possible with the public.
The Food and Drink Federation is the voice of the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. It helps members operate in an appropriately regulated marketplace to maximise their competitiveness; and communicates the industry's values and concerns to Government, regulators, consumers and the media.
The Food Standards Agency is an independent food safety watchdog set up by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to protect public health and consumer interests in relation to food.
The Gin and Vodka Association (GVA) is the modern trade association for the Gin and Vodka industry and associated products.
It is a non-profit making and non-trading association dedicated to protecting and promoting the image of these categories around the world.
"Our job is to prevent death, injury and ill-health to those at work and those affected by work activities"
Based in the most northerly area of mainland Scotland.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) is the Scottish Government’s economic and community development agency for a diverse region which covers more than half of Scotland. HIE aims to build sustainable economic growth in all parts of the Highlands and Islands.
The site contains the full text of all Acts of the Scottish Parliament, the Explanatory Notes to the Acts of the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Statutory Instruments.
The site contains the full text of all Public and Local Acts of the UK Parliament, the Explanatory Notes to Public Acts, Statutory Instruments and Draft Statutory Instruments; and Measures of the General Synod of the Church of England.
HGCA's mission is to continuously improve the production, wholesomeness and marketing of UK cereals and oilseeds so as to increase their competitiveness in UK and overseas markets in a sustainable manner.
The HDC is a levy funded body that serves the commercial horticultural industry in England, Scotland and Wales. The money it collects is used to fund high quality, essential applied research, development and technology transfer. All projects are approved by expert panels that represent each sector of the industry, encompassing over 300 different crops.
Improve is the Skills Sector Council for Food and Drink Manufacturing and Processing across the UK and part of the Skills for Business Network, sponsored by the Department for Learning and Skills. Improve was established July 2004 as the recognised authority on skill development in the UK Food and Drink Industry. Our vision is ‘to deliver more profit to employers through skills’. This is an ambitious aim and we already have an ambitious programme of activity in place to deliver the results. Improve will represent and support bakery, brewery, dairy, distillery, drinks manufacturing, food manufacturing and processing, fresh produce, meat and poultry, seafish and confectionary.
Rothamsted Research comprises three major sites which together form the largest land-based institute in the UK and the oldest in the world: Rothamsted, Long Ashton & Broom's Barn. The institute has four experimental farms, the Centre for Aquatic Plant Management at Sonning and a field station, the scientific programme of which is run jointly with ADAS.
IGD is a research, information and education provider for the food and grocery industry (UK and international). We have no vested interests and we do not lobby. We are unique in that we are the only organisation in the world that has members from all parts of the food and grocery market - retailers, caterers, wholesalers, manufacturers and farmers. We are increasingly the place where the industry comes together to address issues and through our close links we are able to develop cutting edge thinking in all that we do.
Lantra is the Sector Skills Council for environmental and land-based industries. We work to develop the skilled workforce of tomorrow, by listening today.
The Macaulay Land Use Research Institute is an international centre for research and consultancy on the environmental and social consequences of rural land uses.
The Maltsters' Association of Great Britain was formed in 1827, and has been working with the UK malting industry since that date. The changes within the industry can be indicated by the fact that there were about one thousand eight hundred member companies in 1827, and today there are fourteen. Todays membership represents more than 98% of the UK malting industry, which buys around 2 million tonnes of choice UK malting barley, to make about 1.6 million tonnes of malt.
Moredun has an excellent international reputation in scientific research. However it is also a vibrant organisation committed to ensuring that any research it undertakes is focused on the needs of the end user and that any developments it makes in animal health are communicated effectively.
In association with NFU, National Pig Association is active on behalf of members, in Brussels and Whitehall, and with processors, caterers and supermarkets — fighting for the growth and prosperity of the British pig industry.
The National Farmers' Union represents the farmers and growers of England and Wales. Its central objective is to promote successful and socially responsible agriculture and horticulture, while ensuring the long term viability of rural communities.
Whether you keep dairy cattle, produce cereal crops or grow bedding plants, the one thing you need is an insurance policy which protects the very things you depend on to earn a living. With over 90 years' experience in the farming and growing industry, NFU Mutual can provide you with a range of insurance covers that are as varied as the things you produce; allowing you to provide the right protection for your business at the right price for you.
NFUS offers a free legal helpline for members. The helpline is operated by the specialist law firm Gillespie McAndrew. Click on NFUS Helpline and you can submit your enquiry on line.
The OFT is responsible for making markets work well for consumers. We achieve this by promoting and protecting consumer interests throughout the UK, while ensuring that businesses are fair and competitive.
The Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD), an Executive Agency of DEFRA, administers the regulation of agricultural, horticultural, forestry, food storage and home garden pesticides. The principal functions of PSD are to evaluate and process applications for approval of pesticide products for use in Great Britain and provide advice to Government on pesticides policy.
The Pig Disease Information Centre (PDIC) is a non-clinical veterinary practice registered with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Our aim is to empower farm animal health & welfare decision makers with high quality up-to-date information & skills.
The Potato Council funds research and development, transfer technology, collects and disseminates market information and advertises and promotes potatoes at home and in export markets.
QMS's core function is to work with the Scottish red meat industry to improve its efficiency and profitability and to maximise its contribution
RMIF's aim is to help everybody involved in the red meat supply chain to adapt their businesses to all the inevitable challenges ahead, particularly post CAP reform and in the face of growing globalisation.
The Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health is part of the College of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Aberdeen. We bring together extensive capabilities and expertise in nutritional research to pursue cutting edge science aimed at preventing disease and improving health through good nutrition. We aim to provide robust nutritional evidence to guide food and health policies.
The Society was founded in 1784 to promote the regeneration of rural Scotland, as well as the preservation of its poetry, language and music. Today, in the 21st century, the Society is for people who value the rural areas of Scotland. It is for people who enjoy the finest products of our land-based and allied industries. And it is for everyone who supports the very best standards in agriculture, forestry and stewardship of the countryside, which are such an essential part of our heritage - and our future.
The Royal Highland Education Trust is an educational charity, established in 1999.
RHET aims to create opportunity for each child in Scotland to experience the countryside and to facilitate a wider understanding of the environmental, economic and social realities of rural Scotland.
RSABI's predecessor, The Royal Scottish Agricultural Benevolent Institution, was founded in 1897 to mark Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee, to help elderly, infirm, distressed and disabled Scottish farmers and their dependents. This was a time of deep agricultural depression, and many tenant farmers struggled on in their tenancies until death rather than retire at a reasonable age, because there were no pensions available and little if any support for those no longer able to work.
Since its founding in 1889, the RSPB has grown into the largest wildlife conservation charity in Europe, with more than a million members. It has offices across the UK and while its original campaign, to end the plumage trade, was successful, it has widened its sphere of influence to include a huge range of issues that affect both wildlife and habitats.
The Rural Payments Agency is an Executive Agency of Defra and provides services such as rural payments, rural inspections and livestock tracing. It also enforces the European Union's regulations on the size and shape of vegetables and fruit sold in shops, by warning and advising businesses.
Bill Romanis established Rural Projects in 1998. Under his management the business rapidly expanded and since then has proved capable of delivering small exhibitions for only a few hundred people through to national events attracting hundreds of exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors. At Rural Projects we are committed to constantly improving the service we offer, developing the events we are responsible for and seeking new innovations and opportunities.
The School Milk Project (TSMP) was established in 1998 with the aim of increasing the uptake of milk in primary schools, which remains the main aim of the Project 10 years on. The Project is a non-profit making organisation which employs a team of facilitators who can discuss with Local Authorities (LA), Schools and Administrators the best practices for the promotion and implementation of School Milk Schemes in their areas.
The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) promotes, protects and represents the interests of the whisky industry in Scotland and around the world.
Scotland Food & Drink is a unique industry-led organisation that offers a range of benefits to its members, including a product development service, marketing support, sales advice, consumer research, information on access to markets, a meet the buyer programme, PR support and a free legal consultation. Its mission is to grow the industry from £7.5 billion to £10 billion by 2017 and its vision is to build Scotland's international reputation as 'A Land of Food and Drink'.
The Scotland National Rural Network website aims to connect rural Scotland in all its diversity to promote economic growth and community development.
It provides news, information and networking opportunities for everyone living and working in rural Scotland, and helps them to keep in touch with similar communities in the rest of the UK, Europe and beyond. Through the use of interactive communication tools, it aims to facilitate the sharing of common issues and examples of good practice by rural development practitioners and stakeholders.
SAC (The Scottish Agricultural College) is an innovative, knowledge-based organisation, which supports the development of land-based industries and communities through its specialist research and development resources, its education and training provision and its expert advisory and consultancy services.
SAOS is the membership organisation of farmer controlled businesses and rural co-operatives in Scotland, and a specialist consultatncy dealing with all aspects of co-operation, joint venture and rural enterprise.
YFC is unique in to all other Youth Organisations as it is a peer lead organisation in that the members play the key role in the decision-making at the various levels within the movement. The rock on which the Association is built is each Club and its Members.
The Scottish Beekeepers Association is the national body that represents Scotland's beekeepers within the UK, throughout Europe and globally. It is a registered charity, and is run entirely by volunteers drawn from its membership.
Scottish Enterprise is the main economic development agency in Scotland, funded by the Scottish Executive. Their mission is help the people and businesses of Scotland success. IN doing so, they aim to build a world class economy.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is Scotland’s environmental regulator. Our main role is to protect and improve the environment. We do this by being an excellent environmental regulator, helping business and industry to understand their environmental responsibilities, enabling customers to comply with legislation and good practice and to realise the many economic benefits of good environmental practice. We protect communities by regulating activities that can cause harmful pollution and by monitoring the quality of Scotland's air, land and water. The regulations we implement also cover the keeping and use, and the accumulation and disposal, of radioactive substances.
National Farmers Union Scotland is one of the key stakeholders of the
Scottish Fly Tipping (or in other words Dumb dumpers) Forum and who are
partly responsible for the investigation and disposal of many flytipping incidents. The Dumb dumpers site (www.dumbdumpers.org) tells people about what to do if they see others illegally dumping waste such as tyres, mattresses or household binbags, by filling out a form to describe the incident and who was involved. The hotline number is: 0845 2 30 40 90.
The Scottish Food Federation aims to represent and promote the legitimate common interests of te food and drink manufacturing industry in Scotland. They work to increase the competitivess of the manufacturing industry by improving the legal and socio-economic environment in whcih it operates.
This link takes you to Scottish Government's rural affairs and environment department pages on CAP Reform
The basic philosophy of SNH is that we must care for and sustain our natural heritage if we want it to sustain us.
The society Scottish Organic Producers Association was founded in 1988 by Scottish producers to provide a central focus for organic producers in Scotland.
This site provides the latest information on business in Parliament and its committees, news and background briefings, as well background information on the parliament and MSPs.
SQA is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Scottish Government Schools Directorate. It is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment and certification of qualifications other than degrees.
SQC operates and manages the farm assurance scheme for Scottish cereals. Formed in 1994, SQC was the first quality assurance scheme for grain in the UK.
Scottish Women's Rural Institutes is one of the largest women's organisations in Scotland and boasts about 22,000 members. Members informally call the organisation the Rural.
SCRI is a Scottish success story. We are the bridge between rural production and urban wellbeing. We have an unrivalled track record of delivering innovative knowledge, products and services that enrich the Scottish and UK economies.
Silsoe Research Institute had an international reputation for its research in Agricultural, Food Processing and Environmental Engineering. In 2004, its main sponsoring body, the BBSRC, decided to cease its support due to changes in its own research priorities. Silsoe Research Institute thus ceased operations at the end of March 2006 after 80 years of operation.
Many of the unique skills and facilities that were offered by SRI remain available, as many staff have either moved to universities or consultancies or have set up in business. This web site is operated by the network of former SRI staff to enable you to have continued access to this range of research experience and facilities.
The primary purpose of the Tenant Farming Forum is to help to promote a healthy farm tenanted sector in Scotland.
The Ulster Farmers' Union is the democratic voluntary organisation representing farmers and growers in Northern Ireland. It's central objective is to promote their interests both at home and abroad through professional lobbying.
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) works to improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, improve the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries.
The Voluntary Initiative was accepted by the Government on the 1st April 2001, in place of a proposed tax on pesticides used in agriculture and horticulture. The initiative was put forward by seven signatory organisations led by the Crop Protection Association. It will last for five years and the estimated annual cost to the crop protection industry will be approximately £2.1 million. In addition, it has been estimated that it will cost farmers in the UK £11 million per year to implement the package of measures on individual farms.
Farm Stay UK was established in 1983 as The Farm Holiday Bureau, with 23 local groups, through the leadership and support provided by ADAS (then fully financed by MAFF), the Royal Agricultural Society of England (RASE), the National Tourist Boards (inc. the BTA), and the Farmer's Weekly.
NFUS Members
View from the Top
Having spent the last two days attending the English NFU conference in Birmingham, I find myself on...
Updated 1 week agoread this blog »
