News in brief: June 2026

With mowers, sprayers, and livestock trailers moving around the countryside, spring fieldwork is in full flow. So too is the rural news agenda, which continues to assess the impact of geopolitical issues on UK landowners. Here are some of the top talking points this month.

The King’s Speech

On Wednesday 13 May, the King’s Speech went ahead as planned, setting out the government’s legislative priorities despite ongoing political uncertainty over the Prime Minister’s position. One of the most notable Bills included in the Speech was the European Partnership Bill which will facilitate the introduction of new deals with the EU, including the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement. This would facilitate and improve trade between the UK and the EU, but there are some points of contention as the exact detail is finalised, such as the possibility that the UK is forfeiting its ability to make its own decisions over plant protection products. CLA President Gavin Lane said: “Decisions on the use of glyphosate should be made in the UK, based on our own regulatory processes and scientific evidence, and not be part of any deal with the EU". He added: “Moving towards dynamic alignment with EU legislation risks reducing democratic consent and limiting the UK’s ability to respond to our own farming and environmental priorities.”

Middle East conflict

The war in Iran has caused significant economic damage since it began in February. Disruption to global oil and gas markets have pushed up prices, putting British agricultural businesses under immense pressure. NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “If these cost pressures persist – which span the whole food supply chain – food inflation could rise, as recent reporting suggests. We’ve already seen a similar situation play out with the Russian invasion of Ukraine which drove an ongoing cost-of-living crisis here. This is something the government needs to take very seriously and must look to help mitigate the growing burden of risk that faces farmers and growers.”

Punishments for fly-tipping

Fly-tippers could lose their driving license as part of new powers awarded to the courts through the Policing and Crime Act. As many as nine points could be awarded for a single incident, and those who repeatedly break the law and accumulate 12 or more points within a three-year period will be at risk of disqualification from driving altogether. With most fly-tipping incidents being around the same size as the back of a small van, the government is determined to target the vehicles - and the licences - that enable this offending. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds said: “Courts will soon be able to strip repeat fly-tippers of their driving licences, hitting offenders where it hurts and helping to clean up our streets. This is just one measure from our Waste Crime Action Plan to crack down on criminals. Our message is simple: if you dump waste illegally, you will face the consequences.”

Organic sector growth

Organic farmland in the UK has reached its highest level in more than a decade. New Defra figures show land managed under organic systems increased by 7.3% in 2025, reaching 540,000 hectares, the highest total recorded for more than a decade. The sharpest growth came in Scotland, where land entering conversion to organic farming increased by 115%. Soil Association Certification senior commercial manager Alison Muirhead said: “Farmers are turning to organic as not only does it provide huge benefits for the environment and wildlife, it also makes good business sense.” She added: “Fertiliser costs were rising even before the Iran war, so it is unsurprising that farmers are looking for a system that doesn’t depend on gas from conflict zones.”

New guidelines tackle hare coursing

New sentencing guidelines will enable courts to impose tougher sentences on hare coursers from June onwards. The changes mark an important step forward in deterring hare coursing and ensuring courts fully recognise the significant harm and intimidation this crime poses to farmers and growers across the country. The guidelines set out clear aggravating factors for judges to consider, including the use of social media to film offences and breaches of community protection notices. They also draw attention to key powers introduced under the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, enabling courts to disqualify offenders from owning dogs and to order them to pay the costs associated with the seizure and detention of dogs involved in hare coursing offences. NFU Vice President Robyn Munt said: “These new guidelines send a clear message that this crime will be treated with the seriousness it deserves, and that courts must consider the full impact on victims and rural communities.”