Defra Secretary Steve Reed unveiled a series of measures at the NFU Conference yesterday (25 February), aimed at bolstering British agriculture.
However, with farmers increasingly frustrated over profitability and policy uncertainty, questions remain over whether the government is doing enough to support the industry.
Seasonal Worker Visa Scheme Extended, But Labour Concerns Persist
The government has extended the Seasonal Worker visa scheme for another five years, providing some relief for growers struggling with labour shortages. However, many in the sector argue that while the extension offers stability, visa quotas remain a concern, and long-term solutions to workforce shortages are still lacking.
The government has pledged to review visa numbers annually, but farmers fear a reduction before viable alternatives are in place.
£110 Million Innovation Fund Welcomed, But Cashflow Remains a Crisis
A £110 million investment in farm technology and innovation was announced, with grants of up to £25,000 available for equipment like electric weeders and chemical-free milking systems. Reed emphasised that this funding is designed to benefit all farmers, not just the largest operations, highlighting its potential to improve profitability and drive sustainability.
"We are investing in the UK Agri-Technology sector with a further £110 million pounds in farming grants being announced today," Reed said. "In Spring, we will launch new competitions under our Farming Innovation Programme for groundbreaking research that will help the sector transition towards net zero and unlock opportunities from the Precision Breeding Act."
Reed pointed to successful projects already supported by the scheme, such as Oxi-Tech’s chemical-free cleaning system for milking equipment, which reduces energy and chemical costs. He also announced the launch of the ADOPT programme, which will fund farmer-led trials to demonstrate how new technologies can deliver real financial returns.
However, while this investment has been broadly welcomed, many farmers remain concerned about immediate financial challenges, with some questioning whether innovation funding alone is enough to tackle rising costs and squeezed margins.
Public Sector Procurement Strategy Raises Hopes – and Doubts
The government’s new food procurement strategy aims to ensure that at least 50% of public sector food spending goes towards British produce or suppliers meeting high environmental and welfare standards.
While this has been welcomed in principle, many farmers remain sceptical about whether the policy will be properly enforced and whether UK producers will genuinely benefit, given previous frustrations over cheap imports undercutting domestic supply.
New Biosecurity Centre Announced as Disease Threats Mount
A National Biosecurity Centre is set to be created with a £200 million investment, aiming to strengthen the UK’s defences against plant and animal diseases. While this is a step forward, farmers have long called for better disease control measures and faster responses to outbreaks, with some seeing this as overdue rather than proactive action.
Speaking to industry leaders, Reed acknowledged the growing frustration in the sector: “The underlying problem is that farmers do not make enough money for the hard work and commitment they put in. I will consider my time as Secretary of State a failure if I do not improve profitability for farmers across the country.”
While the government’s announcements provide some reassurance, many farmers remain unconvinced that these measures go far enough to tackle the immediate challenges facing the sector. With continued financial pressures and concerns over long-term workforce stability, the farming industry is watching closely to see if these promises translate into real change.
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