UK farmers are experiencing a severe decline in confidence, attributed to the cumulative effects of 18 months of adverse weather conditions, Brexit, and global events, according to a report by the National Farmers Union (NFU). This slump in morale, described as the worst in over a decade, is largely due to significant changes including the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme, a critical EU subsidy that supported many UK farms. The NFU’s survey found that 86 percent of farmers view the loss of this subsidy as a serious concern.

Tom Bradshaw, NFU President, has expressed major concerns about the impact of these changes on food security for Britain, emphasizing the risks of depending heavily on imported food. Since 2019, approximately 7,000 agricultural businesses have closed, intensifying worries about the viability of remaining farms and the overall capability of the country to self-sustain its food supply on an island home to 70 million people.

Since Brexit, the discontinuation of the seasonal worker scheme has further strained the sector, preventing EU citizens from entering the UK for seasonal work such as fruit picking. Additionally, farmers fear the potential collapse of their businesses, with 65 percent of survey respondents anticipating declining profits or the closure of their farms.

The current political climate, including the approach of a general election, is heightening pressures on political parties to address and adapt policies that bolster UK food production. This is especially critical as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak aims to maintain at least 60 percent homegrown food consumption.

These challenges occur amid extreme weather patterns, including record rainfall, which adversely affect crop yields and overall productivity in the farming sector. The scenario raises concerns within rural communities about the sustainability of family farms and their significant roles in the rural economy.