Through the Looking-Glass: Is the Government's Vision for Farming Coming into Focus?

The Government was expected to respond to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee's report, "The Government’s Vision for Farming," by 16 July 2025. At the time of writing, the response is overdue, leaving the agricultural sector in anticipation. While we wait, Field Notes explores whether the vision is becoming clearer and what we hope to see included.

Background

Since the last election, the agricultural sector has been plagued by rushed policy announcements and poor communication. The abrupt closure of the SFI application window and intended APR and BPR reforms have sparked concern. The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee criticised the Government's chaotic handling of agricultural policy in its 16 May report, urging a pause for consultation and clearer communication, particularly on APR/BPR reforms, to rebuild trust and clarify the future of SFI and ELMS.

Developments Since May

• On 11 June, the Chancellor's Spending Review statement omitted any mention of Defra, farming, rural communities or the environment.  The accompanying policy paper contained a headline ELMS funding would increase (from £800 million to £2 billion by 2028-29), but indicated that the uplift would be funded by cutting payments deemed to provide a poor return on investment but with no clarity on how that would be judged and no consultation guarantees.
• Defra's 16 June blog post admitted that "change takes time and certainty matters," yet failed to reconcile this with the rapid reduction in payments. Delinked payments will drop from £330 million in 2025 to £20 million next year, capped at £600 per business.
• Clarity on APR/BPR remains elusive, with disappointing engagement with calls for more consultation. This missed opportunity to rebuild trust has left farmers facing further uncertainty due to government action.
• Some direct community engagement has been seen, such as the Secretary of State's attendance at Groundswell on 3 July.
• On 15 July, the Government released a food strategy for England, prioritising environmental sustainability, resilience, and food security.

While the Chancellor's statement and Defra's blog posts missed chances to mend bridges with the farming community, event attendance and the food strategy release may signal the start of more constructive engagement.

What Do We Expect from the Government's Vision for Farming?

We anticipate the Government's vision will include a commitment to regenerative agriculture, aiming for measurable food security and environmental improvements, with a focus on agricultural profitability. This vision must be supported by appropriate funding schemes and strategies to ensure land remains in agricultural production, considering the wider implications and risks associated with the APR/BPR reforms. Details on strategies for supporting agricultural production and profitability would be welcomed.

What Details Are Needed?

Clarity on funding, especially regarding SFI plans (level, limits, coverage, reopening date), ELMS details (amount, incentives, application process, timeframes), and expected returns for the increased ELMS funding. Information on APR/BPR reforms – both in terms of the timeline and any consultation plans is crucial. Transparency, including publication of any impact calculations and improved communication, is essential.

What Measurable Outcomes Would Support the Vision?

Expected measurable outcomes include increased national food self-sufficiency from 62%, aligning with the food strategy's vision of a thriving UK food sector and improved supply chain resilience. In the context of household-level food security, we hope to see urgent priority given to reversing the 2% decline in the number of food-secure households that took place between 2020 and 2023. We expect to see reversal of the decline in natural capital, measurable through biodiversity indicators, included as a priority outcome.

What Next?

The Government's vision is gradually coming into focus. We will continue to monitor and report as developments unfold, and as we hope for a formal response sooner rather than later. 

Field Notes is Charles Russell Speechlys’ weekly agricultural law blog, sharing plain-English insight into the legal and policy issues affecting agriculture, agricultural land and rural business life. From hints and tips on avoiding agricultural disputes, pitfalls to keep an eye out when planning for tenancy or family agri-business succession, to the latest agricultural legislative changes and the most interesting farm-related court decisions, Field Notes makes the complex more understandable, always grounded in the realities of life on (and off) the land. 

Last week’s edition of Field Notes can be found here.