Farming, Nature Leaders Warn Cuts Could Devastate UK Agriculture

Ahead of the upcoming Spending Review, a broad coalition of politicians, farming groups, and environmental organizations are urging the UK government to protect the budget for nature-friendly and sustainable farming practices. Liberal Democrat MP Adam Dance emphasized that cutting this funding would threaten food security, rural livelihoods, and efforts to restore the natural environment, especially given current pressures on farmers from economic challenges and trade agreements. Major organizations including the Country Land and Business Association, National Trust, RSPB, Soil Association, and Nature Friendly Farming Network have warned that budget cuts would force farmers to abandon sustainable methods for intensive farming, causing significant harm to biodiversity and environmental goals. They argue that the Sustainable Farming Incentive and Environmental Land Management schemes are critical for meeting government targets on environmental improvement and combating biodiversity loss. The National Farmers Union also expressed deep concern, stating that any reduction in funding would represent a government failure to support the environment and sustainable agriculture. The Spending Review announcement, expected soon, will clarify departmental budgets for 2027-2030, with many fearing that cuts to farming budgets would have catastrophic consequences for nature, farmers, and rural communities.