Funding

Many fear nature restoration represents a threat to farming communities in the uplands, but nothing could be further from the truth. ‘Wilder farming’ is a better way to describe the changes needed than ‘rewilding’, says Defra non-executive director Ben Goldsmith.

The ‘vast majority’ of farms in England will survive the withdrawal of direct payments, Defra’s director general for food and farming, David Kennedy, has said.

Flood-hit farmers are set to benefit from a £6 million funding pot, to help with recovery efforts.

AFP, a specialist capital provider to UK businesses operating in the agriculture sector, has been approved to issue loans under the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme (CBILS) to offset cashflow disruption.

Farmers who do not receive proper support during the Brexit transition period may face serious identity crises, the chief executive of the Food, Farming and Countryside Commission has said.

Farmers are being urged to explore the opportunity of making money on private natural capital markets as Government spending on the coronavirus pandemic continues to spiral.

Farmers seeking borrowing within their early agricultural career must be able to demonstrate their experience and adaptability, according to industry experts.

Cost management and improved productivity will be key to arable farming success as the UK shifts to a public money for public goods support system, according to consultants Andersons.

The Agriculture Bill contains much good, but I hope we in the Lords can improve it in the areas of transition, productivity, support for tenants, food security and health, says Lord Donald Curry.

A Parliamentary group has called on the Government to develop a ‘UK Strategy for Abattoirs’ in order to stem the tide of small slaughterhouse closures.