Environment, food and farming experts warn that nature-friendly farming reforms are urgently needed to improve air and water quality, restore wildlife and tackle climate change and flood-risk, which are all affected by farming.

They say that the Government’s plans must also go further and faster to support struggling farming businesses, as farmers have been left in financial uncertainty by the slow roll out of reform plans.

Startling statistics reveal how big an issue this is in Tiverton and Honiton:

• Water pollution: The quality of two-thirds of rivers in the constituency is threatened because of farming - 260km out of 390km of rivers in the constituency are struggling due to agricultural pressure, particularly livestock impacts ^[1]
• Wildlife decline: Devon has lost 92% of its culm grassland since 1900 due to more intensive farming practices, this has contributed to the severe decline of the rare Marsh Fritillary Butterfly
• Lost farmer confidence: In the South West almost two-thirds (63%) of farmers are not confident that the Government will successfully deliver changes to farming schemes and regulations ^[2]

Richard Benwell, CEO of Wildlife and Countryside Link, said:

“There’s simply no way we can meet net zero by 2050, halt nature’s decline by 2030, and ensure that everyone can afford healthy food for their families unless we support farmers properly in the transition to greener agriculture. 

“The Government’s reforms have been hesitant and haphazard, leaving farmers in doubt, but this isn’t the time to question the move to more sustainable farming payments. If people want cleaner rivers and more sustainable farming businesses in Tiverton and Honiton, we need clear commitment from all candidates to a rapid and generous green farming transition.”

Harry Barton, chief executive of Devon Wildlife Trust, said:

“Farming is in crisis and there is no such thing as food security if nature is in decline. That’s why we’re asking candidates to sign our pledge to support farmers and nature with a fast roll out of payments for public goods in farming. It’s also vital that, if elected, they make the case to increase overall funding for environmentally-positive agriculture and back high environmental and animal welfare standards at home and in trade deals.”

Emma Marsh, RSPB Director England said:  

“Recent polling shows that nature and environment is a key concern for voters.[4] To address these concerns, it is vital that farmers in rural constituencies such as Tiverton and Honiton are better supported to tackle climate change, clean up our rivers and bring nature back to their farms. Successfully reforming farm payments will be vital for this, and therefore securing that natural resources that our long term food security depends upon.”

Dr Darren Moorcroft, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust, said:

“We fully support this pledge, it is vital that farmers are given more support for nature friendly practices. In light of the nature and climate crises, farmers have a growing need and desire to farm in harmony with nature as demonstrated by their appetite to combine trees with food production.  But it is clear they need more certainty and support from the Government to do this.

“Many recognise that integrating trees onto farms can bring huge benefits – without taking large areas out of production. They can help increase biodiversity, provide shelter, prevent soil erosion, reduce flooding whilst supporting sustainable food production. ”

With around 75% of UK land used for agriculture, farming is essential to our food supply, economy and countryside. But unsustainable farming has had a major impact on our environment, wildlife, and farm productivity - making our soils and crops less fertile, our rivers and air more polluted and our wildlife less abundant. Soil is being lost at 10 times the rate is being created, crop pollinators are declining with half our butterfly species at risk of extinction,  and agriculture contributes to greenhouse gases - making-up two-thirds of the UK’s nitrous oxide emissions and around half of UK methane emissions.^[3]

Farming returns and profits will continue to decline, food prices will rise, nature and climate targets will be missed, and our wildlife and environment will continue to be damaged, unless the natural resources agriculture relies on are restored. 

The Government has committed to a farming transition which focuses on payments that deliver environmental benefits. This could help to make our farms more productive and our food supply more secure, it will help to restore our wildlife, climate, air and waters. But the Government has faced criticism from farming and environmental groups for a lack of detail, ambition and urgency in its reforms, not least with the recent publication of the Government Food Strategy this week.

The current cost of living crisis, rising food prices, labour shortages, and the ramifications of the war in Ukraine all mean we need a transition to sustainable farming that goes further, faster, is better funded, and has stronger standards. This is vital to help to give farmers the certainty and support they need in readily accessible payments that will help farming to thrive and reduce prices into the long-term. 

Environment groups are therefore asking candidates to pledge that if they become MP they will:

1.   Support a faster transition to payments for public goods in farming

2.   Make the case to increase overall funding for sustainable agriculture

3.       Back higher environmental and animal welfare standards at home and in trade deals