NFU agriculture budget timeline
Parliament debates the agriculture budget
Following NFU lobbying, MPs from across the House of Commons call on the government to deliver an increased agriculture budget after an opposition debate day raises the importance of farming to Britain’s food security, environment and economic growth.
NFU launches 'write to your MP' campaign action
NFU President Tom Bradshaw brands newly released Defra figures as “unacceptable”, after they showed a £130 million yearly underspend against plans between April 2023 and March 2024.
The NFU had repeatedly shared its concerns about this issue.
On Back British Farming Day, the NFU calls for the government to deliver a renewed and enhanced multi-annual agriculture budget of £5.6 billion in the Autumn Budget on 30 October.
The NFU hosts a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference with Food Security and Rural Affairs Minister Daniel Zeichner on the panel. We reiterate our call for an increased budget.
Defra Secretary commits to making farming's case to Treasury
At the NFU's Back British Farming Day parliamentary reception, Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed pledges to make farming’s case to the Treasury.
‘Food security is our shared mission’, Farming Minister tells NFU MP reception
NFU holds first parliamentary reception after the State Opening of the new parliament. NFU President Tom Bradshaw pushes Minister Daniel Zeichner on the budget.
NFU has first meeting with new Defra Secretary
NFU President Tom Bradshaw meets new Defra Secretary Steve Reed.
After the meeting Tom says: “Steve Reed has just outlined his plan for change and it’s good to hear that food security, the environment and flood management are all focus areas. These now need to be underpinned by a budget that will enable the necessary investment.”
NFU meets with parliamentary candidates
In the run up to the election the NFU meets with almost 400 candidates, ensuring our message on the budget is heard.
General election announced
The government announces a general election to take place on 4 July. The NFU continues to make the case for an agriculture budget that delivers for British farming and growing.
No. 10 hosts second Farm to Fork Summit
The NFU has secured major wins and explored ways to restore farmers’ confidence at the second Farm to Fork summit.
The summit coincides with several announcements which represent major wins for the NFU.
NFU launches its general election manifesto
The NFU launches its Farming for Britain’s Future key policy asks ahead of an anticipated general election. These asks contain research from The Andersons Centre that explains why a robust agriculture budget must deliver for the stability and productivity of farming alongside the environment.
NFU calls for a pause of farm payment reductions
The NFU calls on ministers to halt any further reduction to existing farm payments – due to fall by £720 million in this year alone – until delivery problems with SFI are solved.
The NFU was the only organisation to recognise the issues and call publicly for this pause.
No. 10 hosts Farm to Fork Summit
Following significant NFU lobbying, No. 10 Downing Street holds a food summit to take action on a raft of NFU policy asks and 'champion UK food and drink'.
NFU calls for action on supply chain emergency
The NFU calls an emergency press conference as farmers and growers say they are being unfairly treated and supply chains struggle to keep shelves stocked.
Public Accounts Committee report highlights ELMs concerns
The NFU warns government that the Public Accounts Committee’s report into ELMs should serve as a wake up call for Defra, and urges it to carry out an impact assessment.
Urgent review needed of BPS reductions in 2022/23
The NFU calls for an urgent review of Defra’s future farming programme for England, including the postponement of BPS reductions for 2022 and 2023.
The government’s Agriculture Act 2020 receives Royal Assent
The NFU responds to Defra’s Agricultural Transition Roadmap and asks: “Can Ministers be sure that new schemes will be available at scale to deliver redirected BPS payments?”
Food standards become priority as one million sign NFU petition
After an NFU food standards petition is signed by more than one million people, the government agrees to a new Trade and Agriculture Commission.