Responding to the publication of Defra’s agricultural transition
roadmap, NFU President Minette Batters said: “Defra has embraced
many of the industry’s ideas for sustainable farming and food
production in designing this new agricultural policy for England.
“Farming is changing and we look forward to working with
Ministers and officials to co-create the schemes that will help
farmers to improve productivity and animal welfare, encourage
innovation and realise our ambition to produce increasingly
climate-friendly food.
“However, the rate at which direct support reductions will take
place, which we understand will not be applied in other parts of
the UK, leaves English farmers with significant questions. These
payments have been a lifeline for many farmers, especially when
prices or growing conditions have been volatile, and will be very
difficult to replace in the first four years of this transition.
Can Ministers be sure that new schemes will be available at scale
to deliver redirected BPS payments?
“Take livestock farmers for example, who we project will have
lost between 60% and 80% of their income by 2024 as a result of
these reductions. What changes will Defra make to ensure that the
new Environmental Land Management schemes offer rewards that
provide a genuine income for their businesses while maintaining
food production?
“These are the questions Defra needs to answer urgently, for
every farming sector and every part of the country.
“Expecting farmers to run viable, high-cost farm businesses,
continue to produce food and increase their environmental
delivery, while phasing out existing support and without a
complete replacement scheme for almost three years is high risk
and a very big ask.
“There are also many uncertainties during this policy transition,
not least new trading arrangements after we leave the transition
period, as well as the national recovery from Covid-19 and the
global challenge of climate change. Moreover, the long-running
price war in UK retail often sees farming and growing caught in
the crossfire.
“So Ministers must bear these challenges in mind and use the
transition period to also address abuses of market power which
not only damage farm businesses but also consumer choice and
availability. They must also be mindful of the impact sudden
drops in income could have, including seriously jeopardising the
viability of a farm business and causing knock-on impacts for
domestic food production.
“As with any big policy change it is critically important to be
clear on its economic impact. We would urge Defra to share this
assessment as soon as possible, indeed this has been one of our
key asks for the past four years.”
