The National Farmers Union (NFU) has sharply criticised the underspend in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) agricultural budget.
- Government’s £358m underspend occurred over three years, causing concerns among farmers and growers.
- Tom Bradshaw, NFU president, describes the budget management as a major letdown for the agricultural sector.
- NFU urges the UK government to allocate the unspent funds to support struggling farmers.
- New Defra Secretary Steve Reed and NFU seek necessary budget reforms for sustainable agriculture.
The National Farmers Union (NFU) has expressed deep disappointment over the recent underspending of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) agricultural budget. The NFU president, Tom Bradshaw, labelled this £358 million underspend as “unacceptable” and described it as nothing short of a “kick in the teeth” for farmers and growers who have endured years of uncertainty and financial loss during the ongoing agricultural transition.
It is understood that the underspend, accumulated over three years, has left many in the farming community frustrated, particularly given the NFU’s persistent calls for more financial support. Bradshaw emphasised that the underspending was not due to a lack of need for investment. The absence of timely schemes to replace the axed Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2023 further exacerbated the situation, leaving funds unutilised while farmers continue to face financial hardship.
In light of the underspending revelation, the NFU is calling on the government to carry over the unused funds so they can be directed towards their intended purpose—supporting the farming industry in a time of critical need. There is a sentiment within the sector that these funds could alleviate some of the ongoing financial pressures that farmers currently endure.
The discussion around the budget and its utilisation came to prominence during a meeting between Tom Bradshaw and Steve Reed, the newly appointed Defra secretary of state, earlier in July. During this meeting, they explored the “key and immediate” actions required to bolster the British food and farming sector. Bradshaw pointed out that the success of these strategies relies heavily on a supportive budget that can drive necessary investments.
The situation underscores the critical importance of effective budget management and timely financial support to secure a thriving agricultural sector in the UK.
