Group urges better deal for farmers

Anew deal for farmers is needed to secure livelihoods and help them lead the battle against climate change and nature losses, a thinktank has urged.

A report from the IPPR (Institute for Public Policy Research) warned that the farming sector is key to tackling the nature and climate crises, through the way land is managed, but agriculture is a leading cause of wildlife loss and contributes 10% of the UK’S greenhouse gas emissions.

The sector is also facing multiple challenges and changes, from Brexit and the transformation of subsidies to new technology, an ageing workforce, recovery from the pandemic and more extreme weather driven by climate change.

The government is changing the subsidy system in England post-brexit from payments largely for the amount of land farmed, to one where farmers are paid for public goods, such as helping wildlife, planting hedgerows and managing the soil better to store carbon.

The IPPR report said the new financial support schemes must be developed so they are accessible to the majority of farmers but have sufficient incentives to progress and meet more ambitious environmental targets.

It warned there is a clear risk that most funding and effort will be directed towards the “sustainable farming initiative” part of the scheme, which will be an accessible entry point for farmers but could just support “business as usual” on farms.

The report also called for support for rural communities with more investment in housing, clean transport options and ensuring superfast broadband connections.

And it backed widespread calls for new trade deals to set higher standards for animal welfare and preservation of nature and protect British farmers by not allowing unfettered access to UK markets for food produced to lower standards.

Luke Murphy, head of the IPPR Environmental Justice Commission, said: “If farming is to be at the vanguard of the battle against climate change, and for the recovery of nature, then responsible farming must be profitable, it has to offer good livelihoods for farmers and workers and for farms of different types and sizes.

“To see this realised, the government must step up to support current and future farmers through the many changes they are facing.”

NEW DEAL: A report said farmers must be helped to stop the climate crisis.