Food security expected to be EU’s top agricultural priority from 2024-2029
A leaked draft of the EU’s Strategic Agenda, which outlines the EU’s priorities for 2024-2029, has put food security as a priority for agricultural policy.
While the previous vision was to ‘promote sustainable agriculture’ the vision for the next 5 years focuses only on ensuring ‘food security through a vibrant agriculture sector,’ with no mention of sustainability goals.
Every five years, EU leaders agree on their political priorities for the future, with the European Council expected to adopt the Strategic Agenda in its June meeting.
Lamb prices rise steadily since start of 2024
Deadweight lamb prices have soared by more than 20 per cent since the start of 2024. The average for lambs across GB rose to almost £7.90/kg by the end of March, an increase of £1.74 since the first week of the year.
The highest price in 2023 was £7.43 during May. In 2024 the price has increased weekly for 9 weeks since the beginning of January.
Increased consumer demand around religious festivals and a tightening of supply to market played a significant part say Hybu Cig Cymru (HCC). This year both Easter and the Islamic festival of Ramadam took place during March and lamb is traditionally consumed during these times.
UK considers banning Polish chicken imports
The UK is considering a ban on some chicken products from Poland due to rising cases of salmonella infections. Officials have written to the Polish chief veterinary inspectorate in December with concerns about a failure to tackle the disease in chicken meat and egg exports.
There have been over 2,000 infections and several deaths linked to Polish products.
There is also concern amongst the UK poultry industry on how further outbreaks may affect public confidence in poultry products.