Farmers are fed up – but they have allies in the public and also in nature

, 21 February 2024
Farmers are fed up – but they have allies in the public and also in nature
Yellowhammer © Russell Savory

By Vicki Hird

Strategic Lead - Agriculture at The Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts

The food system is clearly not working for farmers, for nature or the climate or even consumers. And some farmers are getting angry. For too long we've needed a coherent strategy for food and farming, and it’s really hurting that we don’t yet have it.

UK Government policy needs to recognise the multifunctional role of farming in producing food alongside nature protection and climate resilience, and that without action – for example, on fair dealing from buyers and better trade policies – we will not be able to feed ourselves in the future.

Many farmers have justified grievances about having to bear the burden of providing a vital service. Meanwhile their buyers treat them badly, don’t pay a fair price at the farmgate and set unacceptable, often utterly ridiculous standards. Retailer and supply chain treatment is getting worse and there is a lack of effective rules to stop abuse and to ensure fair negotiations, contracts and treatment (see this Sustain blog for more detail). UK Government must also change trade policy so it does not undermine our farmers and wildlife by allowing lower standards of imports or drive lower UK standards that could hurt critical natural ‘services’ provided by healthy soils and pollinating insects, which in turn support food production.

It's true that the slow and complicated process of developing new, post-Brexit farm payments schemes and wider support has not helped. Farmers need to plan and yet they’ve not known what they are planning for, for far too long. Now that Environmental Land Management schemes are being finalised in England, and better financed, we should have a rapid delivery and a strong advisory system. This must ensure that farmers can get the support and advice they need to benefit the nature, climate and other goals across their farms – as well delivering viable businesses and healthy, diverse food production.

The new payments and wider transition support, as well as the proper regulations in place to prevent harm to habitats and wildlife, can also help farmers in reducing increasingly costly inputs like pesticides and enable them to make more profit (see the Sweet Spot report). This will help protect soils, pollinators and all wildlife, and build vital climate resilience, so they can continue to produce healthy, nature-friendly food for all. Farmers do have the public support for this and should draw on this to demand government action.

The public wants farmers to protect rivers, soils, pollinators and wildlife, and to build resilience to our changing climate – by doing so, farmers can continue to produce healthy, nature-friendly food for all. Farmers should draw on this support to demand better government policy, not least because nature loss and climate change are major threats to food security in the UK and present ever-growing risks to farm businesses. Farmers can build strong partnerships too at a local and regional level – as many are already doing with their local Wildlife Trust. Farmers can use that relationship to build support for stronger fair-dealing regulations and better trade policy.

Let’s not forget, there is a great story to tell about benefitting society with fabulous ‘public goods’ – from more birds, bees and wildflowers to clean rivers and nature-based flood management – alongside healthy food. We know many farmers are already doing this brilliantly, but we need to demand better policy together so that all farmers can move to resilient, nature-friendly farming – and so they are not undermined by bad policy.

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Comments

  • Pam:

    It’s vital that farmers don’t feel marginalised and blamed as seems to be happening now. There are far more farmers trying to do the right thing for nature and the environment, so support from us the consumers and supporters of nature must help bring their rights and needs to the forefront. Everyone feels challenged in these times which makes more important to work together cohesively.

    22 Feb 2024 12:20:00

  • As with other farmers on the continent we need home-grown food, wherever possible, free from pesticides and air miles, at a fair price for both farmers and citizens.

    22 Feb 2024 12:46:00

  • D:

    We all need to stand alongside and support not only our farmers but farmers across the world. It is in EVERYONE’S best interest to fight back against corporate greed which seems to be safricing our world for their bottom lines. It’s time for an uprising?

    22 Feb 2024 12:51:00

  • June grindley:

    Food security is paramount. We cannot eat weeds and wildlife. At the moment we import almost 50% of our food. And the drought in Spain will not help! Farmers must be paid more for food production and to encourage more young people into the industry……majority of farmers are 50+ yrs old.

    22 Feb 2024 13:34:00

  • Kristina Anne Banner:

    I feel another major benefit will be improved health of the nation with nature friendly farming practices, I do not want pesticide residues in my food or lower quality food being imported from abroad. We are what we eat and our obesity rate reflects our poor unsustainable current food supply chain. It isn’t rocket science to turn out values and policy to a vital holistic and sustainable approach. We just need political will and no lobbying from rich sugar, chemical industries with vested interest to maintain the status quo.

    22 Feb 2024 13:54:00

  • Elaine Lawless:

    Entirely agree with all of this. So important to get this right – sustainable farming which is good for the land, farm animals and nature and which gives the farmer a decent living.

    22 Feb 2024 14:18:00

  • Graham Manuell:

    Excellent article.

    22 Feb 2024 14:26:00

  • Petrina Miliam:

    We haven’t seen yellowhammers for years as most of the field hedgerows were removed and never replaced near us

    22 Feb 2024 14:27:00

  • Sue Whall-Poole:

    Get Fair about Farming campaign started by Riverford Organics is a great way to get involved in this important and pressing issue.
    Thank you for this blog, it gives an excellent overview of how we can all work together.

    22 Feb 2024 14:50:00

  • Mike Douglass:

    If the big supermarkets ( and government ) supported farmers properly they could look after wildlife better

    22 Feb 2024 15:13:00

  • Elaine Lawless:

    Entirely agree with all of this. So important to get this right – sustainable farming which is good for the land, farm animals and nature and which gives the farmer a decent living.

    22 Feb 2024 15:18:00

  • Ajaz Sheikh:

    Excellent article. We can’t achieve the aim of Nature conservation without sustainable farming.

    22 Feb 2024 15:48:00

  • Diana:

    Excellent article. I have a small allotment and the joy and nourishment I get from reaping my small harvest is fantastic. For those who cannot grow their own veg etc I would encourage a visit to the local farm shop. The choosing and eating this produce will be just as rewarding and fulfilling as picking one’s own! That’s how I support our farmers anyhow.

    22 Feb 2024 16:00:00

  • Glynis Milson:

    I assume it is true that farmers want to reduce/stop their dependence on pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers and return the soil to good health and also to stop monocultures and replace the hedges for wildlife.
    A lot of work to do but with determination and government help , maybe……

    22 Feb 2024 17:04:00

  • Nic:

    It really, really beggars belief that we cannot employ good old fashioned common sense and listen to the people who have spent their lives who have and do, study, live and work in farming along with the official paper published in 2021 about making the UK net zero by 2050 and implement changes that are good for every one! Someone mentioned an uprising! Well, hopefully that’s not too far away because we certainly need one. For far too long, have we let people who are only looking after their own interests run our country. We need to demand a fresh approach to the way we allow the country to be governed.

    22 Feb 2024 17:34:00

  • A H:

    As a farmer, supportive comments are welcome, however in the end the main problem is that most people do not want to pay the real price for their food.

    22 Feb 2024 17:44:00

  • Eileen Slater:

    The way farmers farm is critical to the world’s future and to the recovery of nature and the soil’s viability and long term usefulness and richness, This must be key legislation.

    22 Feb 2024 17:45:00

  • Suzanne:

    History has taught us that there is nothing more important than being able to provide sustainable food for a nation. Farmers, the countryside and their wellbeing are vital to us all.

    23 Feb 2024 06:23:00

  • Patricia Marchant:

    I believe we should be supporting farmers to change to regenerative no-till farming which has been shown to capture more water for aquifers, the crops are more resistant to periods of drought, crops need less/no pesticides or fertiliser crops give better yields. All good for wildlife and us. The change takes courage and support from government and us as consumers. Farmers need to know they will be paid a fair price for the produce so they can undertake these changes.

    23 Feb 2024 08:11:00

  • Mick Lee:

    Is there a petition?

    23 Feb 2024 09:51:00

  • Sussex Wildlife Trust:

    HI Mick, there isn't a petition, but it would be worth raising the issue with your elected representatives. This blog by Sustain  raises some important points (at end of the blog)

  • Louise:

    I fear this is a losing battle when the majority of consumers do not understand seasonality in food production and want to buy strawberries, cherries and asparagus every day of the year! Bring back “BUY BRITISH” and support our own farmers in their husbandry of our countryside. Without bees, insects and healthy soil nothing will grow.

    25 Feb 2024 09:29:00

  • Jean Eida:

    I think the utmost pressure should be put on the government. The attitude at the moment is so short sighted at a time when it has been proved with the energy crisis that we should not be so reliant on foreign imports. Also the standards of these imports are frequently so far below our own so can be produced so much more cheaply again penalising our farmers. Sadly the world has got to realise that the days of ultra cheap food cannot be maintained.

    26 Feb 2024 09:44:00

  • Jean Eida:

    I think the utmost pressure should be put on the government. The attitude at the moment is so short sighted at a time when it has been proved with the energy crisis that we should not be so reliant on foreign imports. Also the standards of these imports are frequently so far below our own so can be produced so much more cheaply again penalising our farmers. Sadly the world has got to realise that the days of ultra cheap food cannot be maintained.

    21 Mar 2024 18:56:00