Future of rural businesses at risk if farming schemes fail, new poll warns

A survey of 250 farmers and landowners by the CLA has revealed how they want to feed the nation and deliver for nature, but the UK Government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes are critical to their survival.

Progress has been made transitioning to the new schemes post-Brexit, but any delays in rollout, and failing to properly fund them with a healthy budget risks undermining confidence and stability. This could lead to farms going bust, hitting sustainable food production and risking improvements to wildlife habitats, flood management and access to nature.

The poll found:

• 80% of respondents said they ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that payments through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes are critical to ensure their businesses stay viable. Just 8% ‘strongly disagreed’ or ‘disagreed’.
• Most want to play an active role in delivering environmental improvements – 85% ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they support the concept of using some agricultural land to protect and enhance wildlife and the environment.
• Three-quarters of respondents said they are currently enrolled in SFI or CS schemes. Of those, income of between £10,000 and £30,000 a year to fund the delivery of a range of environmental outcomes was the most common bracket, with 35% falling into this category.

The results come just before the chancellor announces the new government’s first budget. The farming budget of £2.4bn a year has not grown in a decade despite spikes in inflation, major shifts in the importance of domestic food security in a changing world, and recognition of the scale of the environmental challenges. The CLA has been calling for the budget to be increased to £3.8bn a year in England.

CLA President Victoria Vyvyan said: “As this survey demonstrates, farmers are willing and able to feed the nation and improve the environment – but we can't do it on a shoestring budget. Without the right economic, regulatory and political conditions, farmers will be unable to deliver on the multitude of societal demands that ultimately fall on us, and the Treasury must put its money where its mouth is in the budget.

“The CLA believes that Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes have the potential to lead the world in creating a sustainable agriculture and environment policy, and we support the direction of travel – but the budget must be right."

The CLA recently published a powerful rationale for increasing the agriculture budget to £3.8bn a year by 2027/28, to help the industry deliver more across ELM schemes, tree planting and food security.

It sets out funding requirements to take the sector through the remaining transition from direct payments into a new era of sustainable food production and diversifying of land use for nature and climate.

Four quotes from land managers involved in current farming schemes:

"These schemes have been a lifeline for nature on my farm. Birds, bees, and wildflowers are coming back, including 14 red-listed bird species many of which we haven't seen in decades. My soil health is now steadily improving too, which means when I return to arable farming, I’ll be able to grow more resilient crops for years to come.

"But all of this progress is at risk. If funding is cut, I won’t be able to keep investing in soil and nature, and that puts our climate, biodiversity and long-term food security in real danger."

“I have been involved in Countryside Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship for many years and the benefits this brings to our farm are hugely important.

“We have planted various wild bird seed mixes, herbal leys and wildflower plots on the farm and we have also introduced rare breed sheep. The difference this has made to insect life, which is the base of the biological pyramid that supports all wildlife, is clearly visible. For example, we have had a big increase in songbirds and had clouds of linnets on the farm all through last winter.

“This simply would not have happened if we hadn't carried out this work.”

“Being in Countryside Stewardship helps us improve soil structure and benefits wildlife. We’ve really noticed the difference, and the wildflowers are a joy.

“We can feed the nation and look after the environment at the same time, but the government must commit its support to these schemes.”

“We have some awkward shaped fields, some with steep banks, which haven’t been the most productive over the years. With the various options available to us within Countryside Stewardship we have been able to benefit the environment in these areas.

“Ahead of establishing our potato crop within the eight-year rotation, we’re finding the two-year legume and clover leys very beneficial for improving both soil structure and fertility.”