UK farmers are calling on the government to double the agriculture budget to support the country’s green transition, as the sector faces significant challenges in reducing its environmental impact.
The UK’s agricultural industry is a significant contributor to the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, with farming practices and land use change accounting for around 10% of total emissions. To meet the UK’s net-zero target by 2050, the sector must undergo a significant transformation, with farmers adopting more sustainable practices and reducing their reliance on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
However, the industry is facing significant challenges in making this transition, with many farmers struggling to access the funding and resources they need to adopt new technologies and practices.
According to a recent report by the Soil Association, the UK’s agriculture budget has been cut by 30% since 2010, with many farmers feeling that they are being left behind in the transition to a more sustainable food system.
‘We need a significant increase in funding to support farmers in making this transition,’ said a spokesperson for the National Farmers’ Union. ‘The current budget is not sufficient to meet the scale of the challenge we face.’
The NFU is calling on the government to increase the agriculture budget to £3.5 billion, up from the current £1.8 billion, to provide farmers with the resources they need to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact.
While the government has committed to increasing funding for agriculture, the NFU is concerned that the current budget is not sufficient to meet the scale of the challenge.
The union is also calling for greater support for farmers in adopting new technologies and practices, such as regenerative agriculture and agroforestry, which can help to reduce emissions and improve soil health.
‘We need to see a significant increase in funding for research and development, as well as support for farmers in adopting new technologies and practices,’ said the NFU spokesperson.
The NFU’s call for increased funding comes as the government prepares to publish its new agriculture bill, which is expected to set out the government’s plans for the future of the sector.
‘We hope that the government will take our concerns seriously and provide the funding and support that farmers need to make this transition,’ said the NFU spokesperson.
The UK’s agriculture sector is a significant contributor to the country’s economy, with farming and food processing accounting for around 1% of GDP. However, the sector is facing significant challenges in reducing its environmental impact, with many farmers struggling to access the funding and resources they need to adopt more sustainable practices.
‘We need to see a significant increase in funding for agriculture to support farmers in making this transition,’ said the NFU spokesperson.
The NFU is calling on the government to increase the agriculture budget to £3.5 billion, up from the current £1.8 billion, to provide farmers with the resources they need to adopt more sustainable practices and reduce their environmental impact.
‘We need to see a significant increase in funding for research and development, as well as support for farmers in adopting new technologies and practices,’ said the NFU spokesperson.
The NFU’s call for increased funding comes as the government prepares to publish its new agriculture bill, which is expected to set out the government’s plans for the future of the sector.
‘We hope that the government will take our concerns seriously and provide the funding and support that farmers need to make this transition,’ said the NFU spokesperson.
