Former NFU president Baroness Minette Batters has been appointed by Defra secretary Steve Reed to lead a Defra-commissioned review of farm profitability.
In the role, the crossbench peer will provide recommendations on farm profitability to Mr Reed and farming minister Daniel Zeichner.
Defra said listening to farmers and growers will be at the heart of Baroness Batters’ work, covering all land areas and sectors of the industry, as well as engaging with other government departments whose work impacts farmers.
She will provide short, medium and long term recommendations and propose actions for government and industry that will support farming profitability as part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers. This work will be supported by the newly formed Profitability Unit within Defra.
Baroness Batters’ review will also help the development of the food strategy, farming roadmap and the Land Use Framework, and build on other work such as the review of Defra’s regulatory landscape led by Dan Corry. Her aim is to help ensure our farming sector is more viable, self-sustaining and competitive in the long-term.
Baroness Batters will begin her role today, April 7, and the appointment will be for six months with recommendations provided to Mr Reed within that timeline.
Plan for Change
Mr Reed, said: “Backing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural economic growth and boost Britain’s food security.
“We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the New Deal for Farmers. But we must go further and faster as part of our Plan for Change to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth.
“That is why I am delighted to appoint Baroness Batters, and her years of experience as a leader during a time of great change in British agriculture make her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers’ long-term profits.”
Baroness Batters said: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be. There will not be one ‘silver bullet’ to fire but I’m hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation’s food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment.
“I’m pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommendations to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.”
Baroness Batters served as President of the NFU from 2018 to 2024, having previously served as Deputy President from 2014 to 2018. She was appointed as a crossbench member of the House of Lords in 2024 and was made a Deputy Lieutenant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2021.
She runs a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire, a mixed farming business including a 100-cow continental cross suckler herd, as well as sheep and arable. Diversification on the farm includes the conversion of a 17th Century barn into a wedding and events venue, and horse liveries.