The Government Unveils Reforms to Boost Farmers' Profits and Ensure Food Security

On Thursday 9th January 2025, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed outlined the Governments plan for the UK farming industry at the Oxford Farming Conference, emphasising measures to put more money in farmers’ pockets while supporting diversification and environmental sustainability.

The reforms, part of the Government’s Plan for Change, include several key initiatives under the New Deal for Farmers:

Backing British Produce: For the first time, the Government will monitor the origin of food purchased for public sector catering, which accounts for £5 billion annually. This move aims to help British farmers win more contracts and fulfil a longstanding manifesto pledge to support homegrown food production with the aim being 50% of food in public catering being domestic produce.

• Faster Planning for Farm Infrastructure: Reforms to the planning system will make it quicker for farmers to construct essential buildings and infrastructure to increase food production capacity.
• Diversifying Farm Incomes: To bolster resilience during poor harvests, farmers will receive support to generate additional income by selling surplus energy from solar panels and wind turbines. Grid connections will be accelerated to facilitate this.
• Fairer Supply Chains: New rules for the pig sector, set to take effect in spring, will ensure contracts include clear expectations and mutual agreement for changes. Similar regulations for the egg and fresh produce sectors will follow, with the Government prepared to extend these protections to other sectors if needed.
• Trade Deal Protections: The Government reaffirmed its commitment to upholding high environmental and animal welfare standards in future trade agreements.

The reforms are underpinned by a broader vision to balance food production, business resilience, and nature restoration. "The primary purpose of farming has always been – and will remain – producing the food that feeds the nation," said Reed. "We will work in partnership with the farming sector to achieve long-term food security and profitability."

The Government also announced the launch of the Accelerating Development of Practices and Technologies (ADOPT) Fund, which will provide grants for farmer-led innovation in sustainable food production, tackling climate change impacts and protecting nature.

These initiatives will be guided by the recently unveiled 25-year farming roadmap, set to be published later this year. The roadmap will serve as the most comprehensive plan in UK farming history, involving collaborative efforts between government and farmers to overcome challenges and ensure long-term success.