1. Business Green Defra has agreed a 30% spending cut with the Treasury. This article begins to reflect the commentary on this.

http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2433882/defra-agrees-around-30-per-cent-budget-cut

2. Farmers Guardian  This article contains some analysis of where the axe may fall. ‘Defra is staring down the barrel of huge cuts to an already-depleted budget over the next five years. Alistair Driver reports on where the axe might fall and what it could mean for farmers. Defra will survive but is facing huge cuts to its budget Defra has just embarked on an ambitious 25-year plan to drive the food and farming sectors forward. Secretary of State Liz Truss has made much of her plans to ‘turbo charge’ the rural economy by, for example, boosting exports and cutting red tape. But unprecedented cuts looming on the horizon have led many to question the department’s ability to carry out even its core functions – and ensure its future viability – let alone deliver these loftier ambitions. To read more go to:

https://www.fginsight.com/news/defra-spending-cuts—where-the-axe-could-fall-7419