New analysis shows hill farmers are only receiving 8% or £39m of the Government's new farming support scheme, the Sustainable Farming Incentive, despite the uplands occupying ‘around 15% of England's area'
Defra confirmed 76 grant items have been impacted. For farmers who have applied for a grant that is temporarily withdrawn, their application will be put on hold and will be contacted early next year
The NFU has expressed ‘extreme concern' to reports the scheme is now unlikely to open until mid-2025
The Íæż½ã½ã news team give their analysis of the Chancellor's Budget
Graham Redman, partner at agribusiness consultants The Andersons Centre said the business aspect of farming was pressing on the farming community ‘even more so than ever before', and he urged farmers to look beyond the headline figures on Government environmental schemes, which he said could look appealing but came with ‘obligations' and ‘costs'
CLA senior land use policy adviser Cameron Hughes said the range of Capital Grants available were 'particularly worth investigating'
TFA chief executive George Dunn said he believes farmers should be encouraged to consider what investment they need in their businesses over a three-year period and then use those plans to apply for a level of annual grant to support those goals
David Morley, head of conservation and environment at H&H Land and Estates outlines some of the key changes to the options available
The farming union is calling for a 'renewed and enhanced multi-annual agricultural budget of £5.6 million'
After fronting a successful farmer-led campaign to allow more farms into Higher-Tier Scheme agreements, FG columnist James Robinson welcomed Government officials on-farm to discuss just how important this is