The NFU has given its reaction after a cut to the EU’s long-term budget for 2014-20 was agreed by the heads of government for the first time in history. The Common Agricultural Policy will also be reduced.

The deal now opens the way to an agreement on CAP reform, which the Irish presidency hopes to conclude in June. For the NFU, the two absolutely critical points are that “the UK, and our members, are treated fairly both in budgetary terms and in terms of the ‘greening’ conditions that are imposed on them.”

NFU president Peter Kendall said: “The NFU has consistently stated that it would be unrealistic to expect the CAP could be exempt from cuts, when all public expenditure across Europe is under pressure. 'The important thing for us is to ensure that the UK is treated fairly and equitably.”