The National Farmers Union (NFU) has asked the UK government to use the forthcoming Budget to cut the cost of producing food and increase investment in agriculture, warning that drought, livestock disease and global instability have weakened domestic production, The Scottish Farmer reported.

The union's submission sets out five measures it says would safeguard British farming and a reliable supply of affordable food for the UK's 29 million households. It wants the Annual Investment Allowance raised to at least £5 million, temporary interest-free "Keep Britain Growing" loans, and enhanced capital allowances for farm businesses.

It also asks ministers to make sure the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism does not put British producers at a disadvantage against imported food, and to reverse the changes to Agricultural Property Relief (APR) and Business Property Relief (BPR).

"Resilient farm businesses should be considered a strategic asset. They produce the food we all depend on and, with the right fiscal policies, can help protect households from the effects of economic and climatic shocks," said NFU president Tom Bradshaw, adding that the government had already recognised the link between food security and national security. He pointed to a year of prolonged dry weather and the continuing spread of bluetongue.

The call follows the closure of the latest Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) application window on 22 September, after demand exhausted the £233 million budget. NFU vice-president Robyn Munt said the union had warned Defra for months that the money would not meet the demand from farmers wanting to deliver for the environment. The report was written by Kelly Henaughen.

Photo: Roger Davies / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Source: The Scottish Farmer