Farming bosses seek clarity following rumours of budget cuts

The NFU said it is seeking clarity from Defra after The Guardian reported that sources from the department have confirmed that the Labour government will see its nature-friendly farming budget cut as part of the Spending Review, which is due to be announced by the Chancellor in June. 

The Spending Review, which belongs to the Treasury and is ultimately headed up by chancellor Rachel Reeves, sets out the government’s plans to tax and spend until around 2030. 

The NFU, alongside several key groups, has repeatedly voiced concerns over the impact any cuts to the farming budget would have on farmers’ ability to deliver key environmental targets. 

‘Another blow’ 

Responding to the news, NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “If this story proves to be correct, it will be another blow, not just for farmers and growers, but for the viability of nature-friendly farming and for the environment. 
  
“Alongside numerous rural, environmental and nature groups, including the RSPB and National Trust, we have repeatedly called for the government to honour its commitments, with budget and partnership, to protect nature and restore habitats through agriculture. But, without funding, this will be the government giving up on its own environmental targets – targets which it relied on farmers to deliver.” 

Defra’s own data shows that, since it launched in 2022, the SFI has supported more than 37,000 farms to deliver healthier soils, cleaner water and more habitat for wildlife.  

This includes 75,000km of hedgerows that are being actively maintained, providing essential habitats for wildlife, improving carbon storage, and strengthening water management.   

READ MORE: Defra retracts SFI closure for thousands of farmers

Critical role in helping deliver for food, nature and climate 

Mr Bradshaw added: “Farming is resilient and innovative, but if promises from government that farmers would be partners in doing environmental good have been reneged on, it will leave farmers prioritising economic returns and balancing tough choices between farming the land as hard as they can just to make a living and continuing to focus on environmental works they have been proud to deliver. 

“If this is a move away from the principle of public money for public environmental goods towards a more socially focused policy, it is misjudged, because farms of all sizes have a critical role in helping deliver for food, nature and climate.” 

“We are seeking urgent clarity from Defra,” the NFU leader concluded. 

Between now and June, all departments will have to submit their budget requests to Treasury and negotiate with the Chancellor. 

The NFU said it will continue to ramp up its efforts in lobbying the Treasury and Defra to secure our priorities across any and all government spending and raising awareness about the importance of government investment in food security and farming businesses. 

READ MORE: FETF: Defra rolls out £50 million equipment and technology grants 

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