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The Food and Farming Secretary, Thérèse Coffey, has unveiled an initiative designed to support British agriculture by encouraging consumers to “buy British” and delivering essential cash flow for farmers to enhance their businesses.
Reinforcing the goal of producing 60% of the food consumed within the UK, this initiative is poised to invigorate the UK’s thriving £127 billion food and farming sector. The Secretary has emphasized the need for industry-driven actions to guide shoppers towards British products in online marketplaces and has pledged the government’s backing for campaigns highlighting the superior taste and quality of local meat and dairy products.
Additionally, the government has announced that farmers engaged in sustainable food production through environmental land management schemes will be able to utilize these initiatives to fulfill public procurement standards. This will not only benefit British farmers but also allow public sectors to access high-quality local food.
To broaden the reach of British produce both domestically and internationally, the government is actively seeking to recruit five additional agri-food attaches. This move is expected to open up new trading markets and further enhance the UK’s food and drink exports, which contribute £24 billion to the economy.
Thérèse Coffey stated:
This government will always support British farmers, who produce some of the finest food globally, generate substantial economic value, and serve as guardians of our countryside.
Today’s announcements reflect our commitments made at the Farm to Fork Summit and advance our farming strategies, ensuring a profitable and sustainable food sector that benefits both people and our planet now and in the future.
The government’s adaptable and accessible farming schemes are designed to assist farmers in producing high-quality food while also benefitting the environment. A significant number of farmers are participating in environmental land management schemes, with 32,000 successful Countryside Stewardship agreements existing in England for the year 2023—a remarkable 94% increase since 2020—and over 6,000 applications received already this year.
The new and improved Sustainable Farming Incentive 2023 (SFI), offering 23 actions for farmers, is currently open for expressions of interest and will begin processing applications on September 18th. In light of challenges such as inflation and increasing input costs, the government has revealed that farmers with active SFI agreements by the year’s end will receive accelerated payments worth 25% of their annual agreement value in the first month, aiding cash flow and enhancing the effectiveness of the SFI for agricultural businesses.
Farming Minister Mark Spencer added:
I am committed to doing everything possible to support British farmers and growers. Our new flexible farming schemes, alongside ongoing investments in technology and automation, are yielding positive results for domestic food production and environmental health.
With another record-setting year for Countryside Stewardship, it’s reassuring to see so many farmers participating. I will continue to engage with the sector to incorporate feedback, ensuring our programs function optimally to help farmers maintain profitable and sustainable operations into the future.
The government will also explore opportunities to alleviate unnecessary regulations for small abattoirs to simplify their operations and assist farmers in accessing both local and international markets. This effort will be supported by a £4 million Small Abattoir Fund, which will launch by the end of 2023 to boost productivity, enhance animal health and welfare, and promote investment in innovative technologies.
This support for small abattoirs is part of the government’s broader strategy to foster fairness within the supply chain. New regulations for the dairy and pig sectors are slated for introduction next year, alongside consultations regarding supply chains in the egg and horticulture industries commencing later this year.
As part of its continued investment in innovation and automation to elevate productivity, the government has announced £30 million to enable farmers to invest in automated, robotic, and solar technologies. Later this year, farmers will have the opportunity to apply for a share of £15 million for solar equipment installations, as well as an additional £15 million dedicated to automation and robotics, both of which aim to reduce fossil fuel dependency, enhance energy resilience, and accelerate progress towards net-zero goals.
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Elena Rossi is a graduate of the University of Hohenheim in Germany, where she earned her degree in Agricultural Economics. Her coursework centered on farm management, agricultural policy, and rural development. Elena is dedicated to enhancing the economic viability of small farms and works as a policy analyst, advising on agricultural economics and food security issues in Europe.
