UK farming organisations have today warned that, without immediate action, next year’s food production and the future of the next generation of farmers are at risk.
The collection of industry bodies, led by the NFU and including the NPA, released a statement following a recent roundtable meeting.
The warned that Britain’s farmers are at a financial crisis point as the worst drought in 50 years has resulted in historically low harvests, stunted grass growth and caused field crops failures because of a lack of water. This has been compounded by increased production costs for fuel, fertiliser and energy due to the war in the Middle East.
Just a few years on from the last industry crisis, the UK pig sector is facing its own unique additional pressures as a result of a prolonged market downturn, driven partly by oversupply and rock bottom prices across Europe, and an unprecedented number of contract terminations from processors this year. Farmers across the UK are cutting the size of their breeding herds or, in some cases, leaving the sector, as a result.
The situation, like other sectors of agriculture, has been exacerbated by this summer’s extreme heat, which has affected pig performance, and global conflicts that have pushed up the cost of inputs.
Immediate crisis
NFU president Tom Bradshaw welcomed Defra’s recent ‘strategic commitments’ as ‘an important step towards building greater water and long-term resilience on farms’.
“But farmers face an immediate crisis in cashflow and confidence. Rain has come too late for lost harvests and slashed yields, while livestock farmers are dealing with the worst bluetongue outbreak to reach our shores. Many are worried they will not have money in the bank to plant next year’s crops or replace livestock lost to bluetongue,” he said.
“When we met the Prime Minister on farm in Cornwall, he acknowledged the scale of the challenge and said the commitments were a ‘first start’, but there was ‘more to come’. This was a welcome shift from government.
“That is why we have brought farming organisations together to agree the urgent action and investment needed to keep businesses afloat, protect next year’s food production and safeguard long-term food security.”
The organisations outlined some key investments needed from government:
- Keep Britain Growing Loan – A government backed, interest free loan, linked to the losses caused by drought, which would give farm businesses the working capital to produce next year’s food.
- Fallen stock scheme – Urgent government support is needed to help livestock farmers affected by bluetongue disease to meet the rising costs of fallen stock collection and disposal.
Mr Bradshaw continued: ““Farmers in England are now without the breathing space once provided by direct payments and are increasingly exposed to geopolitical shocks, as well as repeated weather extremes, animal disease and global wars.
“Action is needed now to secure the future of British farming and enable the next generation to keep producing the nation’s food. We will continue working with government to help farmers withstand this crisis and deliver on its commitment that food security is national security.”
Roundtable attendees
National Farmers’ Union, NFU Cymru, NFU Scotland, Ulster Farmers Union, Country Land and Business Association, Tenant Farmers Association, National Federation of Young Farmers Clubs, GB Potatoes, British Growers, Central Association of Agriculture Valuers, Agriculture Industries Confederation, National Sheep Association, National Beef Association, British Poultry Council, National Pig Association, Royal Association of British Dairy Farmers, British Egg Industry Council.