News in brief: June 2023

The farming industry has been beset by numerous challenges in recent months, so it’s hardly surprising that the impact of those tough times continues to be felt.

However, there are initial signs that suggest the tide may be turning, with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak making encouraging promises to prioritise and support the sector moving forwards.  

 

Prime Minister pledges support for farming

 A raft of measures for the food and farming industry was unveiled by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 16 May. Promising to put farmers’ interests at the “heart of trade policy” and making 45,000 visas available for the horticulture sector next year were just two of the pledges set out ahead of a Farm to Fork Summit at Downing Street. The government also announced up to £30m of investment to drive forward the use of precision breeding technologies and created a new working group of plant breeders, food manufacturers and retailers to get produce from farms to shelves. “Supporting our farmers and food producers must, and always will be, at the heart of our plans to grow the economy and build a more prosperous country,” Mr Sunak said. 

 

Farmers ‘not confident’ about future of food production 

A new survey has revealed that two thirds (67%) of farmers have no confidence about the future of food production in the UK. Conducted by agri-tech business Hectare, farmers listed the end of BPS and lack of clarity around new government support schemes, and difficulties in forecasting cashflow as their biggest concerns. Andrew Huxham, arable farmer and co-founder of Hectare, said: "It’s been an uncertain few years for everyone involved. Undoubtedly, many are feeling vulnerable post Brexit now the Basic Payment Scheme is being phased out. Trade deals with countries like Australia and Canada have also raised questions around fairness for British farmers, and how to secure quality and provenance when sourcing large quantities of our produce from overseas.”  

 

Defra levels up payments 

Following 18 months of lobbying, Defra has confirmed that payment rates in Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes will be equal for upland and lowland farms undertaking the same actions. Defra had previously said that upland farms would receive £98/ha for managing grassland with low inputs – a significantly lower sum than the £151/ha farms in the lowlands were set to receive for the same task. NFU Uplands Forum chair Thomas Binns said: “For many upland farming families, it means we are able to go from firefighting and questioning our role in the future of British farming, to having the confidence and viability to make long-term decisions for our businesses. We will now be able to do what we do best; produce high-quality, protein-rich food and manage our most treasured landscapes.” 

 

Farmers needed for ambitious soya displacement project  

Farmers are being urged to participate in one of the biggest projects ever undertaken by UK agriculture to credibly achieve Net Zero. Nitrogen Efficient Plants for Climate Smart Arable Cropping Systems (NCS) is a four-year £5.9m ambitious research programme that will involve 200 UK farms and 18 partners. The project, led by PGRO, aims to bring about a reduction of 1.5Mt CO₂e per annum or 54% of the maximum potential for UK agriculture. 

This will be achieved by increasing pulse and legume cropping in arable rotations to 20% across the UK (currently 5%). In addition, 50% of imported soya meal used in livestock feed rations will be replaced with home-grown legumes. “Everyone knows that pulses and legumes have considerable benefits for UK farming systems,” says PGRO Chief Executive, Roger Vickers. “But these have never been truly and accurately measured. So their value has been sorely underplayed and their potential to address the climate crisis has gone unrecognised. Together we can change that.” 

 

Action needed to address poor mental health in rural areas 

A report by the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs committee (EFRA) has called for action after a study revealed that isolation and a lack of digital connectivity have contributed to poor mental health in rural areas, particularly among farmers. The study acknowledges that rural workers face “particular stresses” including unpredictable weather and animal health crises, and uncertain government policies. The chair of EFRA, Sir Robert Goodwill, said: “All this has an inevitable toll on peoples’ mental health – and yet the mental health services people in rural areas can access are few and far between. Rural mental health needs to be a top priority for Defra – and the department should take the lead on this report’s recommendations for much more joined-up action across government.”