Support for Food & Farming

Today we’ve announced a major package of measures to support farmers and grow the UK’s farming and food sector. The package, unveiled at the Farm to Fork Summit hosted by the Prime Minister at Downing Street today, will support domestic food production, boost innovation in the sector supporting it to reach its economic potential, and recruit the next generation of farming and food leaders.????

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Below I’ve highlighted some of the key proposals and announcements included in the plan.?

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Horticulture?

Today we’ve published a new blueprint setting out how industry and government can work together to increase domestic production and drive investment into this valuable sector which is worth more than ￡4 billion to the UK economy.???

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We’ve also announced a Horticulture Resilience and Growth offer to replace the retained EU scheme from the end of 2025. We will look to at least double the funding for horticulture businesses compared to the existing fruit and veg scheme - with up to ￡10 million ringfenced for English orchard growers.?

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We’re cutting planning red tape to make it easier and quicker to build glasshouses. I want to see our self-sufficiency for soft fruit and salad crops that can be grown in the UK to exceed 70% as soon as possible, dramatically increasing our food security and reducing the risk of shortages.??

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And, as set out in our response to John Shropshire’s Independent Labour Review, we’re increasing support for agri-innovation by up to ￡50 million by launching an ambitious programme to automate packhouses in horticulture that will turbo-charge productivity while reducing our reliance on overseas workers.???

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Food security??

Food security is critical to national security, and we are committed to continuing to produce at least 60% of the food we eat.???

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Today we published a draft of the first ever UK Food Security Index to track food productivity across the UK and help us work with the sector to keep high quality, homegrown food on our plates. The Index will set out key data and trends to allow government and industry to safeguard the UK’s food security. This will help to monitor emerging trends giving clear visibility to industry on an annual basis.???

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As we roll out technologies, progress automation, and carry out world leading research, I personally don’t think there’s been a more exciting time to be in the sector and I want to use this innovation to raise ambition.?

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Wet Weather?

I also want to update on the impacts of recent weather, having had the second wettest winter on record. We’ve listened to feedback to improve our support for those whose farms have been damaged.???

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Today we’ve published further details on the temporary adjustments for 60 actions that we’re introducing across the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship. This means farmers who’ve been unable to carry out their scheme requirements for last winter or this Spring due to the wet weather do not miss out on payments.??

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We will also accelerate our work to help Internal Drainage Boards in England recover from recent flooding and modernise infrastructure through the ￡75 million announced earlier this year. By widened the eligibility of the Farming Recovery Fund, we can ensure support is directed where it’s needed most. It’s important we take time to get this right and ensure our systems are ready - and I will announce more details soon.?

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Farming?

I want to reiterate our support to help farmers run profitable, resilient businesses that deliver for food production and the environment.??

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Since the last Farm to Fork Summit, we've announced the biggest upgrades to our farming schemes since leaving the EU including increased payment rates, 50 new actions under the updated SFI opening in July, and more actions for shorter length agreements so our schemes are more accessible for tenant farmers. Our approach is working – nearly half of all farmers are in our schemes and we now have over 20,000 farmers signed up to the Sustainable Farming Incentive, making it our fastest growing scheme ever.?

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I also want to explore how we can harness land within and around towns and cities for agricultural developments and invest in innovative waste and solar resources so farmers can access affordable and sustainable energy, with a secure supply of water.???

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So, collectively, we’re making real progress towards the innovative, resilient farming and food sector we all want to see.??

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We will continue to invest in and support farmers to produce the best of British food to strengthen our food security, champion our produce at home and overseas, and ensure that farming and our amazing countryside thrives not only here and now but for generations to come.?

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You can find out more about the Farm to Fork Summit, and our support package, here: Government unveils major package of farming and food sector support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)?