Spiralling costs are forcing Britain’s farmers to make
significant changes to their food production plans, with some
facing the prospect of going out of business, according to a new
survey of farmers’ intentions by the NFU.
The survey reveals that a third of arable farmers have made
changes to their cropping plans in the last four months, which
90% of growers attribute to rocketing fertiliser costs. The
survey also indicates that farmers are beginning to switch from
growing milling wheat for bread to feed wheat for animals,
because it has a lower fertiliser requirement.
A survey of dairy farmers shows that 7% of producers believe they
are likely to stop producing milk by 2024, which nationally could
mean 840 producers leaving the industry. Over the next two years,
dairy farmers were most concerned about prices of feed (93%),
fuel (91%), energy (89%) and fertiliser (88%).
These rising costs are denting farmers’ confidence to invest.
With the importance of food production recognised in the
Government Food Strategy, the NFU is now asking government to put
these words into action by introducing a statutory duty for
Ministers to assess the impact any new policy or regulation will
have on domestic food production.
NFU President Minette Batters said: “We have some of the world’s
best farmers who are passionate about growing a plentiful supply
of food, produced to world leading standards of animal welfare,
environmental protection and sustainability. Britain’s climate is
perfect for growing and farming a diverse range of food. It’s
more important than ever that we all value that and don’t take it
for granted.
“However, costs are rising rapidly on farms across the country
and across all sectors. It’s already having an impact on the food
that we are producing as a nation as well as leading to a crisis
of confidence among Britain’s farmers. These survey results
clearly set out what we have to lose if nothing is done.
“It’s incredibly positive that the government now recognises in
its Food Strategy how important British food production is for
the nation and its resilience. We now need to see this embedded
across government business, with a new statutory duty for
Ministers to consider how any new policy will impact on food
production.
“Farmers are at the heart of delivering many of the ambitions
government holds – whether that is food production, environmental
protection, or reaching net zero. That’s why it’s so important
for all departments to have a duty to consider food production,
so there is a cross-government approach that truly values British
food and farming and delivers for Britain.
“Farmers are up for the challenge and playing their part in the
solution but investment and commitment from government is crucial
along this journey, particularly when they are battling costs
like never before.
“Farming has always been a volatile business but with fertiliser
prices doubling, feed and fuel prices rising, and the variable
role of the weather, the decisions farmers are making now will
feel more like a gamble than ever before. We now need government
to put words into action and ensure the nation can continue to
enjoy high-quality British food.”
-ends-
Notes to editor:
- 610 dairy farmers responded to the survey on dairy intentions
and 525 arable farmers responded to the survey on arable
intentions.
