The National Farmers Union (NFU) has recently responded to Defra’s farm profitability review by highlighting sector-specific reforms it feels are necessary to support farming incomes.
Suggestions included in the reforms include business development through avenues such as better research and development, knowledge transfer, and modern frameworks.
The NFU has also recommended improving supply chain relationships by promoting market incentives such as the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to promote fair markets and environmental goals simultaneously.
According to NFU president Tom Bradshaw, “The recommendations and actions outlined in our submission will help create a more collaborative and equitable marketplace, enabling our farmers and growers to invest in their businesses and drive profitability and growth in the long term”, adding farms are the ‘foundation’ of the food industry, responsible for 4 million jobs across the UK with an economy worth £148 billion.