UK Government Will Spend More To Support Farm Productivity; NFU Warns To Never Take Food Security For Granted

The National Farmer's Union (NFU) just began its annual conference. On its first day, the NFU president warned the government that the "clock is ticking" for them to protect farmers.

NFU Calls Government For Support Amid Labor Shortages Among Farmers

Minette Batters said farmers are still suffering from labor shortages, high costs and the impacts of climate change and global political turmoil. She noted that agricultural costs had increased by nearly 50% since 2019, BBC reported. Additionally, the poultry industry is severely affected by the largest recorded bird flu outbreak. It was evident in the prices of eggs.

There was a massive shortage of eggs due to Avian influenza and resulting in a price hike. The prices of the eggs have started to drop, but the costs are still sticky because there's still no sign of bird flu slowing down and it remains unknown when the outbreak will be over.

Batters said the country should never take its food security for granted. She also shared three important factors for successful farming and the government should use them to underpin its farming policy to boost productivity, protect the environment and manage volatility.

She also reminded them that there's not much time, so they should start soon.

NFU Cymru deputy president Abi Reader told BBC News that shoppers may find themselves with fewer options when they are in the supermarket. Reader said there are empty sheds that should have poultry producing eggs.

The massive rising cost was reportedly due to the war in Ukraine and people still settling down after Brexit. Also, the input costs are too high that farmers can't afford them.

Banks are reportedly reluctant to lend money and businesses are producing less than they used to.

In response, the government said that it would spend over £168m of public money to support farm productivity.

Plans For Farming Amid Food Security Crisis In The UK

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak responded to the concern raised about farming at Tuesday's conference in Birmingham on "Feeding a changing world", in a pre-recorded statement.

Mark Spencer, the minister of agriculture, told the attendees that more than £168 million in funding would be made available for the advancement of new technology, better food production, and enhanced animal welfare.

These will be included in a yearly package of £2.4 billion in public money that also includes payments from the government's Environmental Land Management System (ELMS).

Sunak added that they are aware that a healthy environment is necessary for the production of sustainable food. He added that the two are interdependent.

Investing in new technology and bringing in nature-friendly schemes will support the future of farming.

A post-Brexit farm payment program called ELMS is intended to reward English landowners and farmers for their environmental efforts. It is intended to take the place of the Common Agricultural Policy subsidies from the European Union.

Spencer also told delegates that foreign seasonal farm workers should be paid a minimum of the national living wage - due to be £10.42 from 1 April - and guaranteed a minimum of 32 hours of work every week.

He believed that it was the right thing to do and said it was necessary for everyone to stick to it.

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Labour and a speaker at the conference, has pledged to defend British food standards and improve farmers' trade connections with the EU.

The government claimed that through its trade agreements, UK farmers and food producers would gain access to new markets abroad while maintaining high standards for food safety and animal welfare.

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