England experienced a 19% reduction in farming income last year, attributed to flooding that hindered crop harvesting. The agricultural sector is facing challenges from climate change, with erratic weather conditions such as droughts and floods becoming more common. In 2023, the contribution of farms to England's economy decreased by £1bn to £10bn, marking an 8.7% fall from the previous year.
The total agricultural income stood at £4.5bn, down by £1.1bn or 19% from 2022, as reported by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). This decline was primarily due to a significant drop in crop outputs, which fell by £1.5bn or 13.1%, driven by a crash in crop prices and poor yields.
The Met Office recorded an unprecedented 1,695.9mm of rainfall from October 2022 to March 2023, the highest in an 18-month period since records began in 1836, with scientists linking this to climate change. Martin Lines from the Nature Friendly Farming Network highlighted the impact of climate change and market price fluctuations on farm income. The phasing out of the EU-derived basic payments scheme introduces further uncertainty, with English farms now required to enrol in environmental schemes for government support. Joe Evans of the Country Land and Business Association emphasized the ongoing decline in farmers' incomes and the critical role of the countryside in economic growth under the Labour government's agenda.
Source: theguardian.com