One notable measure is the planned £100 million cut to nature-friendly agricultural projects funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The agricultural budget was originally set at £2.4 billion per year, but due to current economic conditions, this amount is expected to be reduced.
A significant number of British farmers are concerned about the impact of these cuts on nature-friendly farming practices. Many of these projects aim to promote biodiversity, improve soil health, and reduce the environmental impact of agriculture. The decision to reduce funding for these projects is seen by many as a step backwards for sustainable farming initiatives that have been promoted in recent years.
The current situation in British agriculture is already worrying. The sector faces declining profit margins, mainly due to the loss of cheap labor from Eastern Europe since Brexit. Previously, many British farmers relied on temporary seasonal workers from countries such as Poland and Romania, but since leaving the European Union, this labor stream has largely dried up.
This has led to labor shortages among farmers, delaying harvesting and production. In addition, export opportunities to EU countries, which absorbed a large part of British agricultural products, have been significantly complicated by new import tariffs and customs procedures.
This economic stagnation and decline in the agricultural sector are largely attributed to Brexit. The left-wing Labour leaders, despite much protest, were also not opposed to it. Although nowadays a majority of Britons regret their pro-Brexit referendum, Prime Minister Starmer has no intention of reversing it.
Earlier commitments to provide farmers with additional support seem to be fading into the background amid the current economic crisis. During the Brexit campaign, farmers were promised they would not receive less than they did within the EU, but in practice the government is struggling to fulfill these promises. The planned budget cuts in agriculture, combined with challenges arising from Brexit, are making it increasingly difficult for many farmers to survive.