UK Government Reinforces Support for British Farmers with Groundbreaking Initiatives
Source: The DairyNews
On Tuesday, February 20, the UK government reiterated its dedication to advancing profitable farming businesses, enhancing food security, and safeguarding the British agriculture sector for future generations.
During the National Farmers Union Conference in Birmingham, both the Prime Minister and the Environment Secretary unveiled a series of measures aimed at boosting productivity and resilience in the agricultural sector.
Key highlights include the announcement of the largest-ever grant offer for farmers, projected to total £427 million in the upcoming financial year. This substantial funding encompasses a doubling of investment in productivity schemes, with a particular focus on initiatives like the Improving Farming Productivity grant, supporting farmers in adopting automation, robotics, and on-farm solar installations to fortify energy security.
The Prime Minister also introduced a groundbreaking annual UK-wide Food Security Index, designed to monitor and present data crucial for assessing food security levels. Additionally, the government plans to host the Farm to Fork Summit annually and has allocated a £15 million fund to aid farmers in redistributing surplus food that cannot be commercially utilized at the farm gate, contributing to efforts in tackling food waste.
Simultaneously, new regulations are set to be laid in Parliament to ensure fair and transparent contracts for dairy farmers, prohibiting changes to contracts without farmer agreement. Furthermore, a review will be initiated to enhance fairness in the poultry supply chain.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay emphasized the government's commitment to supporting British farming through a £2.4 billion investment, fostering agricultural productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. The improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), set to benefit farmers from July, includes a 10% increase in the average value of agreements, streamlined application processes, and additional payment opportunities for around 50 new actions.
Other notable measures encompass up to £500,000 funding for mental health projects in the farming sector, expanded permitted development rights to encourage farm diversification, and financial support for Internal Drainage Boards to mitigate flooding risks and enhance climate change resilience.
These initiatives align with the government's strategy to secure food production, address environmental challenges, and bolster the overall well-being of British farmers.
Key highlights include the announcement of the largest-ever grant offer for farmers, projected to total £427 million in the upcoming financial year. This substantial funding encompasses a doubling of investment in productivity schemes, with a particular focus on initiatives like the Improving Farming Productivity grant, supporting farmers in adopting automation, robotics, and on-farm solar installations to fortify energy security.
The Prime Minister also introduced a groundbreaking annual UK-wide Food Security Index, designed to monitor and present data crucial for assessing food security levels. Additionally, the government plans to host the Farm to Fork Summit annually and has allocated a £15 million fund to aid farmers in redistributing surplus food that cannot be commercially utilized at the farm gate, contributing to efforts in tackling food waste.
Simultaneously, new regulations are set to be laid in Parliament to ensure fair and transparent contracts for dairy farmers, prohibiting changes to contracts without farmer agreement. Furthermore, a review will be initiated to enhance fairness in the poultry supply chain.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay emphasized the government's commitment to supporting British farming through a £2.4 billion investment, fostering agricultural productivity, resilience, and environmental sustainability. The improved Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), set to benefit farmers from July, includes a 10% increase in the average value of agreements, streamlined application processes, and additional payment opportunities for around 50 new actions.
Other notable measures encompass up to £500,000 funding for mental health projects in the farming sector, expanded permitted development rights to encourage farm diversification, and financial support for Internal Drainage Boards to mitigate flooding risks and enhance climate change resilience.
These initiatives align with the government's strategy to secure food production, address environmental challenges, and bolster the overall well-being of British farmers.
