Britain’s agricultural landscape has changed Dramatically since Brexit, agricultural policy has been Well AdjustAnd EU subsidies, which funded UK farming for decades, are no more.
Before partition, those subsidies provided British farmers with about £3 billion a year, which meant for a few. 90% of their annual income, That system is now being phased out, which the UK government claims will be more environmentally sustainable.
At the heart of this new approach are “environmental land management schemes”, designed to encourage farmers to produce what is known as “land management”.public goods” – Things like soil health and wildlife habitat – the level of financial payout depends on which of these goods are achieved. Defra aims for 70% farmer participation by 2028, involving 11,000 farmers in England already enrolled,
But its appeal and practicality remain controversial. And the new way of working brings profound implications for the farming community.
Money is tight and the future is extremely uncertain.
Our job Examines the barriers and challenges faced by farmers in the UK and abroad. recently, we searched Focusing particularly on the barriers farmers face since Brexit, upscale farms in England. We found that while the focus on environmental sustainability is commendable, important economic and social dimensions have been ignored.
This change risks marginalizing traditional-minded farmers, losing cultural heritage and weakening the social fabric of rural communities. And it’s a change that doesn’t just affect farmers. Importance is given to farming and food industries over £120 billion For the British economy.
talking to upland Among farmers (those who work in hilly and mountainous areas) in four English counties (Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumbria and Devon), we found that many are extremely concerned about the future of the farms they care for. Some people’s farms have been in their families for generations.
A 70-year-old farmer from Lancashire commented candidly about the future of his 250-acre beef and sheep farm: “We will not be viable.”
He added: “I might also stop farming and diversify my holidays.”
Another farmer, aged 50, who keeps Herdwick sheep in the Lake District, highlighted the important role of EU subsidies, noting that his scheme Removal by 2027 This will severely limit the financial condition of their farms and their ability to pursue environmental initiatives.
She said: “With that basic payment taken away from the business, it’s really tough. We may make a profit of around £10,000, but our principal payment is more than that. So it’s going to take us to a situation where we’re not making any money.”
Concern was also expressed about how difficult it is to understand the new agricultural policy in Britain. Four out of ten Britons are farmers over 65 years of ageMore information is given in 150 pages”sustainable farming promotionThe documentation can be overwhelming. Many traditional farmers do not use mobile phones, and are unfamiliar with the online world.farm and form
One farmer told us: “I found like thousands of leaves piled up on my veranda [Defra] Just sent it to reach out to people because a lot of the farmers I’m working with are not online. “They haven’t heard much about this stuff.”
She added: “I went to a farm last week which is only accessible by 4×4. No one ever came to talk to him about plans and things.”
Another farmer, aged 72, said: “It is very difficult to fill all the forms. “I don’t even bother with these new plans because I don’t understand them.”
And while the new plans may be complex, many of the farmers we spoke to were very clear about the risks to the future of British farming. Overall, they seemed concerned that farms, skills and knowledge passed down from generations would be lost during this transition to more sustainable farming.
One said: “If farming is not supported like before, we will lose a lot of farmers who used to work on the farms.” [for generations], Their skill set and aptitude will be lost, and it will be absorbed into agribusiness. maybe this is it [the government] want.”
Another explained: “It is a huge loss if we lose the older generation.
“What used to happen with tenancy was that people would work together, like me and my son. And then one would slowly step back and the other would slowly take over. It is a gradual process.”
Overall, we found that the future looked quite bleak for the more traditional farmers we spoke to. There was also a strong sense that although the farms they operated may not be highly profitable, or provide the strongest environmental benefits, the work they do still has social and cultural value – which There is a risk of being lost forever.
And as England grapples with the complexities of post-Brexit agricultural policy, the balance between environmental goals and the preservation of traditional farming practices remains uncertain. Many of the farmers we met felt that they were being pulled away from their traditional role as producers.
As one farmer said: “If you are taking productive land out of production for your plantations or any kind of diversification, where is our food coming from?”
Peter GittinsLecturer in Management, University of Leeds And go refaiAssociate Professor in Enterprise and Entrepreneurship, University of Leeds
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