A New Review for Farming Profitability
In April 2025, Defra appointed Baroness Minette Batters, former NFU President, to lead a review into farm profitability. This comes at a crucial time for UK agriculture, as farmers face pressures from rising input costs, climate change, and uncertain supply chains.
The Aims of the Review
The review is designed to identify how farmers can:
- Reduce barriers to profitability.
- Increase productivity and embrace innovation.
- Access new markets.
- Use risk management tools to strengthen resilience.
It also explores how the supply chain can provide fairer distribution of risk and reward, and whether farmers can diversify through ancillary activities to increase income.
Why It Matters
The findings will feed into several government strategies, including the Food Strategy, Farming Roadmap, and Land Use Framework. The goal is to create a farming sector that is viable, self-sustaining, and globally competitive.
Local Engagement
Norfolk Environment Food and Farming has already submitted evidence to the review, ensuring that the voices of local farmers are represented.
What Happens Next?
The final report is expected later in 2025, with recommendations that could shape farming policy for years to come. Farmers should follow updates closely and prepare to adapt to new opportunities and challenges.
More details here: Defra – Farming Profitability Review
