Time to deliver on farming pledges, government told

The government faces calls to put its money where its mouth is after Defra minister Daniel Zeichner pledged a “new deal” for Britain’s farmers.

Mr Zeichner made the pledge during an NFU reception in parliament last month. More than 130 MPs and Peers attended the reception – held one day after Labour outlined its priorities in the King’s Speech.

The government was committed to the agricultural transition away from the Basic Payment Scheme towards environmental payments, he said – and to ensuring the system works for growers and livestock producers.

Rather than Farm Minister, Mr Zeichner will be known as Food Security Minister as the government emphasises the importance of feeding the nation. But his role still encompasses responsibility for agriculture.

“You’ve heard the words food security is national security – it’s absolutely at the centre of Labour’s mission to grow the economy. Food security is a shared mission of this government, and we’ll absolutely share it with you.”

That said, the NFU has called on the government to increase its annual farm budget to £5.6bn. It says doing so is vital if farmers are to help the UK meet its Net Zero commitments while producing food and delivering a better environment.

NFU leader Tom Bradshaw said: “At a time of climate change and the geo-political situation we see at the moment, there has never been a more important time to deliver on those words of food security and national security.”

Agricultural transition

Mr Bradshaw said Defra secretary Steve Reed must also commit to a transparent transition as direct payments are phased out – and publish its  assessment of the impact on both food production and business viability.

The NFU also wants to see government promises on fairness in the supply chain translated into meaningful policy, and legislation to deliver on Labour’s commitment to source 50% of food for the public sector locally “as soon as possible”.

Welcoming Labour’s commitment around a trade strategy that promotes high standards of food production, Mr Bradshaw said: “For too long we’ve felt like we’ve been competing with our hands tied behind our backs.”

Environmental groups have also called for a big increase in the government’s budget for agriculture – arguing that more is needed for farmers to tackle the nature and climate crises.

Some £5.9bn per annum is needed to meet legally binding nature and climate targets – and improve the resilience of the UK farming industry, says a report  by the RSPB, National Trust and The Wildlife Trusts.

For every pound of public money spent on nature restoration, the return will be at least three times that investment, it adds.