Farming will survive despite politicians

It’s hard to think of another government in recent memory dishing out so much pain to farmers who feed the nation.

Last month’s shock decision by Defra to close the flagship Sustainable Farming Incentive to new applications with immediate effect was as brutal as it was unfair.

It was just the latest in a series of government announcements which has understandably left farmers and farming families wondering if Labour politicians care about agriculture at all – despite pledging to look after the industry while they were in opposition.

Clear signal

First we had decision to impose 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth over £1 million – despite the fact the most farm businesses don’t generate enough cash to pay the tax bill.

Then we had the decision to phase out what remains of the Basic Payment Scheme harder and faster than previously promised – only weeks after farm minister Daniel Zeichner told farmers he didn’t want to “upset the applecart”.

The closure of the SFI to new applications effectively closes any opportunity for farmers not already in the scheme to replace lost BPS income by implementing environmental measures on their farm – including mitigating climate change and creating valuable wildlife habitats.

It’s a decision which calls into question the government’s commitment to meeting climate and environmental targets. It also calls into question the government’s commitment to UK food security – something it has previously insisted is as important as national security.

Two sides

Farm leaders have condemned all these decisions and more. But so too have environmental groups. Both recognise that food production and nature restoration are two sides of the same coin.

That is a lesson our political leaders need to learn too. Short-term policy measures are not only failing farming – they are also failing the country which deserves much better than this.

Without farmers, there is no food. And everyone needs to eat, which makes farming fundamental to human survival.

But growers and livestock managers provide much more than food, important though that is. They are the bedrock of our rural communities, the creators and carers of our countryside, and the guardians of our environment as well.

The government needs to recognise all of this and start investing in the industry – not just financially but with supportive policies too.

Johann Tasker

Editor