Animals and agriculture - market insights Q3/Q4 2024

Rising rural crime rates 

The new government has pledged to tackle rural crime with the first government-backed rural crime strategy. This follows statistics announced by the Labour Party showing that rural areas have seen a rise of 130,000 reported offences, including close to 30,000 more instances of criminal damage and arson. The government plans to tackle high-value farming technology theft and clamp down on sheep worrying. 

Transition to sustainable farming 

The Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Act was passed on 18 June and became an Act on 30 July 2024. It aims to ensure the Scottish Government can help farmers to produce more food more sustainably, supporting their role in climate mitigation and regenerative agriculture. 

A new government 

In its manifesto, Labour said it would set a target for half of all food purchased across the public sector to be locally produced or certified to higher environmental standards. The party also pledged to introduce a land-use framework and make environment land management schemes work for farmers and nature. 

A central commitment in Labour's manifesto for the agriculture sector is to increase the number of co-operatives and mutuals in the industry, doubling the current figure of around 800. Co-operatives and mutuals play a crucial role in the UK’s agricultural sector by granting farmers greater control over the supply chain, helping them reduce costs on essential inputs through economies of scale, and facilitating the sharing of innovations that can enhance output and productivity. To lead this initiative, the government plans to set up a dedicated task force that will collaborate with industry stakeholders and legal experts to identify and eliminate obstacles to the creation and growth of co-operatives. 

Labour also pledged to pursue a new veterinary agreement on shared standards with the EU to ease red tape and friction in trade.