The ending of funding for the scheme is not, in itself, a surprise as it had already been clearly set out in legislation, but the procedures for bringing funding to an end are not clear.

Nor is there clarity on what future funding support may be available for the sector, which the NFU has long lobbied for.

While funding for the scheme is coming to an end, the NFU is seeking clarity on whether any of the scheme rules will continue to apply beyond 2025 and over what time period.

Clarity needed

To add to the complexity, there has been a further extension of funding in Scotland. Scotland based POs (producer organisations) and their growers will continue to have access to funds, even when growers are based in England.

This creates an uneven playing field, both between England and Scotland, and England and the EU. It is, therefore, increasingly critical that the sector has clarity on funding options going forward.

The NFU has long been calling for a new scheme, expanded to cover all sectors of horticulture, and opened up to individual businesses as well as producer organisations. Funding could be delivered through matched funding on a similar basis to the existing scheme, and for multi-year programmes.

To deliver this we’d need to see total funds increased in direct proportion to the widening of its scope – a figure of £200 million at current levels, but to increase with sector growth.

Fit-for-purpose funding streams

The government has long-held an ambition to grow the horticulture sector, but so far has only removed a well-established match funding scheme with a good track record of increasing productivity and accelerating innovation, while introducing many unanswered questions.

There is significant uncertainty around government support for all of agriculture, and it is unclear how well horticulture would fit into existing funding streams.

We need the government to take a proactive step to establish fit-for-purpose funding streams for the sector that will give growers the support and confidence they need to continue driving productivity and innovation.