Labour blasted for ‘most merciless betrayal’ in ‘one other shattering blow’ for farmers | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Labour has come below fireplace for pausing a key inexperienced farming scheme with out warning. The Government this night introduced that it might not settle for new purposes for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI).

The programme, which was launched after Brexit as a part of a package deal to interchange the EU’s widespread agricultural coverage, pays farmers to handle their land in an environmentally pleasant method. The Government stated it might set out particulars of a revised model of the scheme following the spending assessment later this 12 months. But the transfer has sparked contemporary criticism amid ongoing fury on the inheritance tax raid on farmers.

National Farmers Union president Tom Bradshaw stated: “This is another shattering blow to UK farms, delivered yet again with no warning, no understanding of the industry and a complete lack of compassion or care.

“Today’s terrible news was delivered with only 30 minutes warning to us before ministers briefed the press, leaving us unable to inform our members – another example of the growing disregard for agriculture within Defra.

“The fact that ministers are actually trumpeting this as good news shows how desperately detached they are from the reality on the ground and how little they understand this industry.

“It leaves us with little choice but to see Defra as a failing department. The chaos has got worse and worse and farmers are paying the price. Bad decisions, misdirection, promises broken, no transparency and yet more financial disaster for farming.”

Country Land and Business Association president Victoria Vyvyan said the scheme was “the most ambitious, forward thinking and environmentally friendly agricultural policy seen anywhere in the world”.

She added: “Labour promised to support it, but at the first available opportunity they have instead scrapped it.

“Of all the betrayals so far, this is the most cruel. It actively harms nature. It actively harms the environment.

“And, with war once again raging in Europe, to actively harm our food production is reckless beyond belief.”

James Wright, farmer and policy director at Conservative Rural Forum, said the SFI supported “food production, the environment and farm incomes”.

He added: “Labour withdrawing the scheme with no notice shows the complete contempt they farm for farmers and the countryside.”

Sarah Lee, director of policy at the Countryside Alliance said it would “no doubt feel like another kick in the teeth” for farmers.

She stated: “Farmers are being requested to navigate an more and more unsure panorama, from considerations about farm taxation to broader financial pressures, whereas persevering with to supply high-quality meals for the nation.

“At a time when confidence in the sector is already fragile, the decision to close applications for SFI24 without immediate clarity on what comes next risks exacerbating uncertainty and shows the governments lack of consideration for the countryside and its workers.”

Farming YouTuber Olly Harrison, who has organised main protests towards the controversial inheritance tax modifications, took goal in a video on X.

He stated: “What is going on? We’re getting attacked from every single angle, it’s just absolutely bonkers.

“Why have we obtained individuals who do not perceive farming and do not perceive the setting in energy in energy? Why do not they get out on farms and find out how agriculture works?”

The Government said it inherited an uncapped scheme and that the highest ever level of participation in SFI means the maximum limit has now been reached.

Environmental Land Management scheme agreements will remain in place.

Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Daniel Zeichner said: “This Government is proud to have set the most important funds for sustainable meals produce in historical past, to spice up development in rural communities and all throughout the UK, below our Plan for Change.

“More farmers are now in schemes and more money is being spent through them than ever before. That is true today and will remain true tomorrow.

“We have now efficiently allotted the SFI24 funds as promised.”