British farmers are facing an unprecedented challenge as they are compelled to reduce food production to remain viable, according to the National Farmers Union (NFU).
In a significant shift driven by economic necessity, British farmers are turning to more sustainable practices such as rewilding and biofuel crop production. This change comes in response to substantial cuts in food subsidies following the phase-out of the former EU payment scheme by the government. As a result, farmers are forced to adapt their business models to survive.
The NFU, through its president Tom Bradshaw, has expressed concerns over consecutive poor harvests that have drastically affected yields of crucial crops like oilseed rape, winter barley, and English wheat. The erratic weather patterns, particularly record rainfall, have further strained the agricultural sector.
Ahead of the Budget announcement at the end of October, Bradshaw has appealed to the government to reallocate the £258 million underspend from the environmental department to support farmers during this difficult agricultural transition. He has also called for the implementation of grants from the anticipated flood recovery fund to assist those gravely impacted by these adverse conditions.
Bradshaw emphasised the urgency of government intervention, stating: ‘If [the government] don’t get that support package right, if they don’t enable the investment, if they don’t get the planning system working, then ultimately [farmers] will have no choice: they will de-risk their businesses, and we will have lots of birds and bees.’ Such drastic shifts could lead to a profound change in land use priorities, potentially affecting the nation’s food security.
Further complicating matters, there is uncertainty surrounding whether unspent funds from previous budgets will be made available to assist in this transition. The NFU also highlighted the importance of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) publishing an impact assessment of the Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS). Such an assessment would empower farmers to make informed decisions about their involvement in biodiversity and emission reduction efforts.
In response, a Defra spokesperson has assured that the government’s new deal aims to restore stability and confidence in the sector, with initiatives such as the Flood Resilience Taskforce poised to enhance rural economic growth and strengthen food security by advancing the development of flood defences.
As British farmers navigate these turbulent times, the call for decisive government action is more crucial than ever to ensure both agricultural sustainability and food security.
