皇家华人is seeking clarity from Defra after reported that Defra sources have confirmed the department will see its nature-friendly farming budget cut as part of the Spending Review, due to be announced by the Chancellor in June.
The Spending Review, which belongs to the Treasury and is ultimately headed up by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves, sets out the government鈥檚 plans to tax and spend until around 2030.
The NFU, alongside several key groups, has repeatedly voiced concerns over the impact any cuts to the farming budget would have on farmers' ability to deliver key environmental targets.
鈥淚f this is a move away from the principle of public money for public environmental goods, towards a more socially focussed policy, it is misjudged.鈥�
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
Giving up on targets
Responding to the news, NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 鈥淚f this story proves to be correct it will be another blow, not just for farmers and growers, but for the viability of nature friendly farming and for the environment.
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鈥淎longside numerous rural, environmental and nature groups, including the RSPB and National Trust, we have repeatedly called for the government to honour its commitments, with budget and partnership, to protect nature and restore habitats through agriculture. But, without funding, this will be the government giving up on its own environmental targets 鈥� targets which it relied on farmers to deliver.鈥�
shows that, since it launched in 2022, the SFI has supported more than 37,000 farms to deliver healthier soils, cleaner water and more habitat for wildlife. This includes 75,000km of hedgerows that are being actively maintained, providing essential habitats for wildlife, improving carbon storage, and strengthening water management. 听
Move away from public money for public environmental goods
Tom added:听 鈥淔arming is resilient and innovative but if promises from government that farmers would be partners in doing environmental good have been reneged on, it will leave farmers prioritising economic returns and balancing tough choices between farming the land as hard as they can just to make a living and continuing to focus on environmental works they have been proud to deliver.
鈥淚f this is a move away from the principle of public money for public environmental goods, towards a more socially focussed policy, it is misjudged, because farms of all sizes have a critical role in helping deliver for food, nature and climate.听
鈥淲e are seeking urgent clarity from Defra.鈥�
Between now and June, all departments will have to submit their budget requests to Treasury and negotiate with the Chancellor.
皇家华人will continue to ramp up its efforts in lobbying the Treasury and Defra to secure our priorities across any and all government spending and raising awareness about the importance of government investment in food security and farming businesses.
