In a significant escalation in backlash to plans announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, farmers are threatening to target ports and disrupt supermarket supply chains to protest against Labour tax rises, states a recent report, claiming that there are plans to withhold produce and livestock in a bid to trigger food shortages,
The Chancellor placed a 20 per cent inheritance tax on farmers’ assets worth more than £1 million in her first Budget. Previously, tax breaks designed to allow family farms to pass down the generations were exempt from the divisive 40 per cent duty.
According to The Telegraph, some farmers are now openly discussing plans to take a more radical course of action. The discussions are understood to be taking place among farmers who have previously organised tractor “go-slows” on roads as well as protests in February which saw 5,000 farmers gather at the Senedd to voice dissent over environmental targets.
“They will block every port in the UK if they have to,” the report quoted an insider. “[This] could be a possibility to slow down the supply in the supermarket. The Government and supermarkets need to realise the control we have as farmers. The good thing with that is you have farmers everywhere so you can cover all the ports.”
Tom Bradshaw, president of the National Farmers Union (NFU), said that his members felt “betrayed” by Labour government.
“I had a meeting with farmers this week and they are absolutely irate,” he said. “If they hadn’t said they weren’t going to do it, there would still be dismay but not the sense of betrayal. Anyone living longer than five years is thinking, will a future government do something different? The leader of the opposition has said they will overturn it.”
The NFU has organised a lobbying event later this month in Parliament where members will hold meetings with their MPs – but the union declined to back a mass demonstration in the capital on the same day, telling its members that unless they have registered for the parliamentary event they should stay away.
There are also reports of plans for a co-ordinated “sewage strike” in a move that risks causing chaos for water-treatment companies and creating a mountain of waste.
Clive Bailye, the founder of the Farming Forum, the UK’s biggest agricultural online forum, said that some farmers were looking at other actions, “from not taking sewage sludge to not letting food leave the farm or sending livestock to market”.
“I can see produce being withheld.”
He said that although they were “very worried about going to prison” he felt his position as founder of the Farming Forum put him in a strong position to help, adding: “We know we need to do something but we are not sure what it will look like yet. But I’ve got thousands of messages from farmers asking me how, when, where.”
A government spokesman said, “With public services crumbling, a £22 billion fiscal hole inherited from the previous government and 40 per cent of Agricultural Property Relief going to the 7 per cent of the wealthiest claimants, we made a difficult decision to ensure the relief is fiscally sustainable.
“Around 500 claims each year will be impacted and farm-owning couples can pass on up to £3 million without paying any inheritance tax – this is a fair and balanced approach.”
People who vape while still smoking cigarettes are less likely to successfully quit than those who only do one or the other, a new study said on Wednesday.
Over time, most of these "dual users" tend to go back to only smoking cigarettes, according to the study published in the journal ERJ Open Research.
The international team of researchers reviewed existing data on smoking and vaping before combining the results.
After four to eight months, only three percent of dual users quit smoking, they found.
Over that period, eight percent of people who exclusively vaped quit, while six percent of those who only smoked cigarettes managed to kick the habit.
After 16 to 24 months, 13 per cent of dual users had quit, compared to 26 percent of vapers to 17 percent of smokers.
Two years on, 58 per cent of dual users had gone back to just smoking cigarettes, the study found.
"Given the extensive marketing of vapes as healthier alternatives to conventional smoking, they have gained popularity among people trying to quit smoking," said lead study author Josef Hamoud of Germany's University Medical Center Goettingen.
The existing research showed "concerning results" about smoking and vaping at the same time, he said in a statement.
"There is still a lot we don't know about the long-term health effects of vaping."
E-cigarettes, which have exploded in popularity over the last decade, do not contain tobacco but instead a liquid normally filled with nicotine that is inhaled as vapour.
Because there is no tar, carbon monoxide or other toxic elements linked to smoking, the health risks of vaping are considered to be much lower.
But the World Health Organisation and anti-smoking groups have refused to assert that vaping is less harmful than smoking, citing the precautionary principle and saying more evidence is needed.
A 2022 Cochrane review - considered the gold standard for analysing available knowledge - found strong evidence that e-cigarettes are more effective for quitting smoking than nicotine patches or gum.
Given the mass deaths caused by tobacco, many medical researchers have called for vaping to remain legal as a tool for quitting smoking - while doing everything possible to stop young people from taking up either habit.
UK supermarkets are not on track to meet crucial environmental targets, according to WWF’s latest report, What’s in Store for the Planet 2024.
Published on Tuesday (3), the annual report reveals piecemeal progress since last year and clear areas of concern – with supermarkets a long way off meeting the goal of halving the environmental impact of the average UK weekly shop by 2030.
Despite a welcome increase in data voluntarily submitted by the supermarkets, the report – an in-depth review of the UK grocery market’s impact across seven key areas – warns that supermarkets are off track on a number of measures, with some lagging behind in key areas such as climate and deforestation.
The way we produce food, the report says, is ultimately failing not just the environment but consumers and farmers too.
WWF warns supermarkets are “way off track” to meet the “critical and urgent” 2025 target to ensure that the products on their shelves aren’t destroying tropical forests that teem with life and help absorb carbon.
Despite engagement from the supermarkets to tackle deforestation and the loss of wild places – through industry coalitions and calls for robust due diligence legislation to ensure that commodities such as beef, cocoa, palm oil and soy entering the UK are not causing nature loss – progress has stalled, with dominant international traders refusing to respond to calls for effective origin control on all supplies and the last government failing to deliver promised legislation.
Yet irresponsible palm oil production, for example, has been – and continues to be – a major driver of deforestation of some of the world’s most biodiverse forests. Palm oil is found in nearly 50 per cent of the packaged products we find in supermarkets – from pizza, doughnuts and chocolate, to deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste and lipstick.
Without urgent action, warns the report, the retailers’ 2030 science-based climate targets are highly likely to be missed, putting the future of our food system – and planet – at risk.
The data does reveal some positive steps forward this year, indicating that progress is possible:
Climate: Mostsupermarkets that submitted data have made progress towards near-term Scope 1 (direct) and Scope 2 (indirect) emissions reduction targets, and in setting 1.5°C-aligned Scope 3 (value chain) targets in line with the Science Based Targets Initiative’s (SBTi’s) Forestry, Land-use, and Agriculture (FLAG) guidance.
Marine: For the first time, four supermarkets have shared some data on wild-caught seafood species adhering to all aspects of the Seafood Jurisdictional Initiative (SJI), while reported figures for certified seafood are at 88%.
Agriculture: Supermarkets that submitted data are, on average, sourcing more than 50% of their UK-sourced produce from land within robust schemes to manage soil health and biodiversity. However, only half of the retailers provided data, so the sector-wide picture is unclear.
Improved transparency: 10 out of 11 major UK food supermarkets – representing 90% of the grocery market – shared more data this year than ever before. Continuing to improve levels of transparency is vital for informed decision-making, building resilient supply chains, and tracking progress toward sustainability goals.
The report highlights that while some retailers are leading the way and making necessary changes in some areas, collective and accelerated action is urgently needed: governments must regulate, commodity traders must reform, and supermarkets must help consumers to make healthy sustainable choices.
Tanya Steele, chief executive at WWF, said:“Consumers should not have to worry about whether their food shop is fuelling the climate crisis or pushing precious wildlife closer to the brink.
“How we produce food remains one of the biggest threats to our planet. And while it's positive that UK supermarkets have pledged to source their food responsibly, they must now follow through.
"Supermarkets depend on nature and a stable climate for the food they sell, and most people want to buy sustainably. Unless supermarkets prioritise this, we will all suffer the consequences.
“The UK government must now step in and urgently introduce the long-awaited due diligence regulations to prevent further destruction of our forests and natural habitats. Without them, supermarkets will continue to pay lip service while the planet pays the price for their inaction – putting us all at risk.”
Sir Dave Lewis, chair of trustees at WWF, said: "Supermarkets have a crucial to play in the sustainability of our food system and therefore the climate, but they are falling short of their climate and nature targets and missing them isn’t just bad for business – it’s a recipe for disaster.
"If supermarkets fail to act now, the impacts of environmental crises will only worsen, with even more consequences for supply chains, prices, and the ecosystems they rely on.
"With supply chains already on the brink and customers demanding change, it’s time for supermarkets to lead the charge toward a sustainable future.”
WWF is calling on the supermarkets to hold firm to their commitments and face the challenges ahead with renewed determination and collaboration, sharing solutions within the sector to support a fair transition to sustainable food production.
In the report, WWF warns that a repeated failure by governments and businesses to address deforestation and the destruction of wild places is putting the climate, nature and food security at risk. Globally, food production uses 40 per cent of habitable land and is responsible for a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions.
Yet the devastating effects of the climate and nature crises – from unpredictable weather patterns, droughts and declines in pollinators, to disasters that flood fields and ruin produce – are heavily disrupting production and reducing food security, presenting a major challenge for the sector and leading to shortages and rising prices.
Shockingly, since the WWF Basket launched in 2021, the world has lost over 7.9 million hectares of tree cover – an area almost the size of Austria.
SHS Drinks has announced the acquisition of Shandy Shack, a pioneering brand in the mid-strength ABV beer space.
SHS Drinks said the new partnership will step-change Shandy Shack’s already strong current growth, helping it to better reach the 40 per cent of adults seeking to moderate their alcohol consumption with balanced, enjoyable options.
Since 2021, Shandy Shack has won numerous awards for product quality, including six Great Taste stars across four products. The brand has achieved widespread mainstream media attention and secured significant distribution partnerships.
Prior to the acquisition, SHS Drinks and Shandy Shack collaborated to create the popular Raspberry Lager using bottlegreen’s Raspberry Cordial. The product launched in June this year and featured integrated bottlegreen branding on Shandy Shack’s packaging, along with joint promotional efforts across social media.
“We are excited to welcome Shandy Shack into our brand family.” Andy Morris-Jinks, managing director of SHS Drinks, said.
“The mid-strength ABV market is seeing rapid growth as consumers seek options for low-tempo, relaxed socialising. Shandy Shack’s innovative and award-winning product range aligns perfectly with our vision for broadening our consumer base and tapping into emerging market trends."
Andy Morris-Jinks (C), MD SHS Drinks, with Shandy Shack co-founders Tom Stevens (L) and Ed Stapleton (R)
Shandy Shack will join established names in the SHS Drinks portfolio including Shloer, bottlegreen, Rocks, WKD and Merrydown, adding further variety to a range of popular consumer brands. As part of the New Ventures division, co-founders, Ed Stapleton and Tom Stevens, will continue to lead the brand’s development and expansion.
Stapleton said: “It is a fantastic feeling to join forces with SHS Drinks to accelerate the development of Shandy Shack. SHS Drinks are a brilliant organisation that share our values and vision for the brand. They recognised the importance of introducing a compelling mid-strength offering to enhance their diverse and dynamic portfolio. This partnership will provide unparalleled opportunities to leverage their expertise, resources and support to expand our brand’s reach.”
This acquisition reflects SHS Drinks’ commitment to embracing consumer trends. By integrating Shandy Shack into the New Ventures division, SHS Drinks will work closely with the Shandy Shack team to take the brand to the next level by igniting consumer awareness and broadening distribution in 2025.
Mondelēz International has announced the appointment of Volker Kuhn as executive vice president and president, Europe, effective April 1, 2025.
Kuhn, reporting directly to chair and chief executive Dirk Van de Put, will replace Vinzenz Gruber, who has announced his retirement from the company, also effective April 1, 2025. Kuhn will join the organisation on January 6, 2025, partnering with Gruber to ensure a smooth transition.
“On behalf of Team Mondelēz, and especially our European colleagues, I’d like to thank Vince for his strong leadership and passionate dedication in driving commercial and operational excellence, consumer loyalty, and employee development,” Van de Put said.
“With Vince at the helm, we have advanced core brands including Cadbury, Milka and Oreo across Europe, while expanding into exciting adjacencies such as snack bars, cakes and pastries – setting up the business for continued growth and success. We wish him the very best in retirement.”
Kuhn joins Mondelēz from Reckitt’s hygiene business, its largest global unit, where he delivered top- and bottom-line performance acceleration. Earlier, he served as Reckitt’s chief transformation officer.
Before Reckitt, Kuhn spent 26 years with Procter & Gamble, leading several critical growth accelerations, turnarounds and business transformations across Europe, North America, the Middle East and Africa.
He led the successful carve-out and divestiture of Duracell from P&G to Berkshire Hathaway.
His experience spans multiple consumer products categories, including 10 years leading the Pringles Snacks division in Europe, as well as expertise across disciplines including finance, brand marketing, business development and general management.
“We’re delighted to welcome Volker Kuhn to our Mondelēz International family,” Van de Put said. “His breadth and depth of international consumer packaged goods experience, coupled with his track record of impressive results and leadership impact, position him well to accelerate growth in our European region while continuing to strengthen consumer loyalty to our iconic brands.”
Kuhn also serves as chairman and a non-executive board member of FROSTA AG, a leading European frozen food company. He is fluent in German, English, and French, and holds dual German and Swiss citizenship.
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) today (4) has issued a stark warning about unauthorised additives in imported American snacks, sweets and fizzy drinks, saying that these products, popularised by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok, pose serious health risks to children.
As Christmas approaches, American confectionery has become a must-have stocking filler, with children and teenagers driving demand. These brightly coloured sweets, snacks and drinks are heavily promoted by social media influencers on platforms like TikTok, where viral videos showcase ‘candy hauls’ and taste tests of imported products.
The trend has grown in popularity in recent years, making these items a symbol of festive indulgence among younger audiences.
Convenience stores and high-street retailers have capitalised on this growing popularity, stocking these products in record numbers to meet seasonal demand. However, the allure of American candy often masks serious risks, says CTSI.
Many of these imported products fail to meet UK safety and legal standards, lacking proper allergen declarations or containing unauthorised additives with known health risks.
Staffordshire County Council’s Trading Standards team has been leading efforts to address the growing issue of unsafe American confectionery. During a recent pilot project funded by the Food Standards Agency, they seized 3,378 items valued at £8,500 from local shops. These products, often manufactured for foreign markets, contained unauthorised additives such as:
• Yellow 6 (E110): Found in corn-based snacks, linked to hyperactivity in children . • Carrageenan: Used in jelly cups, posing a choking hazard for children. • EDTA: An additive prohibited in drinks, linked to developmental issues in animal studies.
The inspections revealed 89% failed to comply among shops, with common issues including:
• Products containing unauthorised additives. • Missing English labelling or allergen declarations. • Expired products still being sold.
In addition to these findings, recent actions by Staffordshire’s Trading Standards team have uncovered further concerning statistics. Approximately 3,700 non-compliant products valued at £10,300 were confiscated during inspections, including:
• 1,750 cans/bottles of drinks containing EDTA. • 1,545 packets of crisps containing Yellow 6 (E110). • 400 packets of sweets containing mineral oil, bleached flour, or carrageenan.
These inspections also highlighted a 25% failure to comply rate in stores where American confectionery was identified and subsequently removed from shelves. These products, often referred to as ‘grey market goods’, are manufactured for foreign markets and fail to comply with UK food safety standards.
Operation Tootsie, an earlier Trading Standards initiative, further emphasised the scope of the problem, revealing a 77% failure rate among products purchased from national retailers and an even higher 91% failure rate among importers.
Dean Cooke, CTSI Lead Officer for Food, explained:
"Social media has amplified the demand for American sweets, with influencers on platforms like TikTok showcasing these colourful products in ways that appeal to children and teenagers. While this drives seasonal sales, it also creates a dangerous market for items that fail to meet UK safety standards. Retailers must take responsibility to ensure compliance, and parents need to be vigilant in checking labels to protect their children from potential harm.
“Importers, by law, have to re-label products with a UK/GB address. If there is any problem with the food, customers and Trading Standards may need to contact a legally responsible person in this country. If food does not have a UK/GB address on the label, we would advise for them not to buy it.”
Councillor Victoria Wilson, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council, added:
“Our Trading Standards team works tirelessly to ensure that food sold in Staffordshire complies with safety standards. During this pilot project, we were alarmed to find over 3,300 unsafe items on sale, many of which contained unauthorised ingredients and were targeted at children. These items are often poorly labelled and can contain harmful additives, posing serious public health concerns. Parents need to stay alert and avoid products with unclear labelling, especially during the festive season.”
Consumers are urged to scrutinise labels for compliance. Items labelled with American weight measurements (ounces, fluid ounces) are likely imports. These products must adhere to UK food safety standards, including accurate allergen labelling and exclusion of unauthorised additives.
Trading Standards continue to tackle this growing issue through targeted operations, including working with national retailers and wholesalers. Anyone unsure about the safety of products in England and Wales can contact the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133. You can get consumer advice applying to Northern Ireland by calling Consumerline on 0300 123 6262. Consumers In Scotland should contact Consumer Advice Scotland by calling 0808 164 6000.