The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) is echoing calls on the government from MPs across the House of Commons to increase the agriculture budget, after an opposition debate raised the significance of farming to Britain’s food security, environment and economic growth.
During the debate, there was a cross party consensus which confirmed that the agricultural budget is essential to the expansion, growth and future of agricultural businesses.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “As we saw in the debate, food is not partisan. It should not be a kicked around like a rotten pumpkin. The farming and growing businesses that produce food need long-term certainty so they can plan and invest for the future.
“Over the first 100 days of this new government and ahead of the election, British farmers and growers have experienced a period of policy paralysis as they wait, surrounded by flooded fields and failed crops, for news of promises to reset the government’s relationship with British farming and invest in its future.
“The number one way to do this is to ensure we have a strategy to boost Britain’s food security, and this must be invested in and supported by an increased agriculture budget.
“This must start with all departments across Whitehall creating policies that assess the impact on our nation’s ability to feed itself, as well as take advantage of growth export markets and trade,” he added.
The NFU commissioned the independent Andersons Centre to model the public funding required to deliver statutory environment, climate and policy ambitions in England over the course of the next Parliament.
It showed that an annual agriculture budget of around £4 billion would be needed to adequately support the agricultural sector, which would translate to a UK-wide budget of around £5.6 billion.
Bradshaw spoke about how high costs, record inflation, low farm returns and persistent bad weather have negatively impacted farmer’s confidence.
He added: “We’re at a tipping point in British farming, the bedrock of the industry that contributes £148 billion to the economy and provides 4.2 million jobs.
“It is vital the government recognises this on the October 30 and give farmers and growers the confidence needed to invest in the future and deliver on our joint ambitions for growth, food security and the environment.
“That is why we’re asking the government to back British farming by delivering a renewed multi-year annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion, the majority of which is needed to deliver the government’s environmental goals, with the remainder looking to drive productivity and support the economic stability of farm businesses, all supporting the health and wellbeing of our nation.”
On the foot of these debates, the NFU president is urging NFU members across the UK to write to their local MP to express their views, detailing the reasons why the agriculture budget is so critical to their farm businesses. Read more: NFU president calls on govt to increase agriculture budget
