Immediate action is needed to ensure growers have the means to produce next year’s crops, according to the National Farmers’ Union, which called for a Keep Britain Growing Loan
A combination of severe drought and war in the Middle East is creating a perfect storm for farming in the UK, according to the National Farmers’ Union, which warned British farmers and growers are at a “financial crisis point”.
This year’s drought has been the worst in half a century, resulting in historically low harvests and the failure of various field crops, while costs of fuel, fertiliser and energy have risen due to the chaos in the Gulf.
Without immediate action, farming organisations warned, next year’s food production and the future of the next generation of farmers are at risk.
NFU president Tom Bradshaw commented: “Defra’s strategic commitments last week were a welcome and important step towards building greater water and long-term resilience on farms. But farmers face an immediate crisis in cashflow and confidence.”
He said that the rain had come too late for lost harvests and slashed yields, leaving many farmers worried that they will not have the money to plant next year’s crops.
“When we met the Prime Minister on farm in Cornwall last week, he acknowledged the scale of the challenge and said the commitments were a ‘first start’, but there was ‘more to come’,” said Bradshaw. “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 NFU called for a Keep Britain Growing Loan – a government-backed, interest-free loan linked to drought losses that would give farms the means to produce next year’s food.
“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,” said Bradshaw. “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.”
