'Massive error': farmers say post-Brexit funding plan risks food scares

Gove's agriculture bill prioritises environmental issues over food production, says head of NFU

Food production in the UK will be put at risk without government commitments to safeguard farmers after Brexit, and food scares could be the result, the head of the UK's biggest farming organisation has warned as ministers announced the biggest shake-up to farming in decades.

The agriculture bill was hailed by Michael Gove, environment minister, as a "historic moment" heralding a "brighter future", but swiftly came under attack from farming leaders for prioritising environmental issues over food production.