Environment Secretary Angela Eagle has stated that farming is as integral to national security as energy or defence. Speaking at the National Farmers' Union's (NFU) Back British Farming Day 2026 reception, Ms Eagle highlighted that the supply of food has often been taken for granted.
Ms Eagle acknowledged the difficulties faced by farmers over the past year, including rising input costs, water supply issues due to heatwaves, and climate-driven disease outbreaks such as bluetongue. She noted that a third of farmers reportedly make no profit, underscoring the need for change.
The government is taking action to support the sector, including a £65 million support package announced by the Prime Minister in his first month in office, which includes £15 million for on-farm reservoirs. A revised reporting process for bluetongue will be introduced from Friday 11 September to make disease confirmation quicker and easier.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Window 1 saw 7,000 applications. Window 2 is expected to open on 22 September with an increased budget of £230 million, allowing farmers with agreements expiring by the end of February 2027 to apply before their current agreement ends. Additionally, £225 million has been allocated for capital grants, a 50% increase from last year.