FOOD 2050

Defra is to appeal against the judgment of the High Court in the recent case on spraying brought by Georgina Downs.   In a debate in the House of Lords earlier this week junior Defra minister Lord Hunt confirmed that Hilary Benn had been given leave to appeal.   ‘It is not appropriate for me to go into the details of that appeal,’ he said.  ‘But at the end of the day, we all want to see good practice and proportionate regulation.’

I have now read the decision of the England and Wales High Court (Administrative Court) before Mr Justice Collins.  I must emphasise that in commenting on this matter I am not a lawyer.   The judgment is a long and complex one, although much of it is taken up with a statement of the facts and a consideration of the relevant law.