Earth and Habitat (Commonwealth Union) _The National Farmers Union (NFU) has sounded the alarm as British farming grapples with an unprecedented crisis of confidence, exacerbated by a convergence of challenges spanning 18 months of adverse weather, Brexit repercussions, and global events. NFU President Tom Bradshaw issued a stark warning, revealing that the erosion of confidence has led to the closure of 7,000 agricultural businesses since 2019 and now poses a threat to food security in Britain.
The NFU’s annual Farmer Confidence Survey, conducted between November 2023 and January this year, paints a bleak picture, with Bradshaw emphasizing that the situation has deteriorated further since then, verging on what he terms a “crisis.” Describing it as a “perfect storm,” Bradshaw points to the volatile aftermath of the Ukraine conflict and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While Brexit is not explicitly named, Bradshaw alludes to its impact, citing changes to subsidies and international trade deals.
Chief among the concerns outlined by farmers is the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), a lifeline subsidy previously provided by the EU. With 86 percent of respondents citing this as a serious worry, the transition to the Environmental Land Management Scheme comes at a time when payments have dwindled by 50 percent, forcing farmers into increased borrowing.
Bradshaw emphasizes the NFU’s long-standing apprehensions regarding the shift away from BPS, warning that neglecting food production imperils national security. He cautions against relying solely on imports to address the crisis, stressing the need for a comprehensive strategy to feed the nation’s burgeoning population.
Brexit-related immigration challenges compound the predicament, with the absence of a seasonal worker scheme exacerbating labor shortages in the agricultural sector. EU citizens, once integral to fruit-picking operations, have ceased their trips to the UK since its departure from the EU, further straining production capabilities.
The impact of relentless wet weather looms large, with 82 percent of respondents reporting negative repercussions on their farm businesses. Mixed farms, arable farms, and dairy farms bear the brunt of these adverse conditions, leading to a significant decrease in production intentions across all farming sectors.
Against this backdrop of uncertainty, British farming faces an existential crisis, demanding urgent attention and decisive action from policymakers to safeguard the sector’s viability and ensure the nation’s food security in the face of mounting challenges.
