1st Report - The Government’s vision for farming
Select Committee
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 906
16 May 2025
Recommendations
2 results
16
Accepted
Review and evaluate Government communication with farming sector, providing analysis and solutions.
Recommendation
The Government should review how it communicates with the farming sector and properly evaluate the impact recent communications have had on trust in the Department. It should provide its analysis and proposed solutions in its response to this report. (Recommendation, …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledged concerns about communication and trust, stating that all communications with the farming sector are already evaluated using the Government Communications Service Evaluation Cycle. However, it did not provide specific analysis or proposed solutions within this report as requested.
18
Accepted
Improve Defra's communication with Parliament, ensuring policy statements are subject to proper scrutiny.
Recommendation
Defra must improve its communications with Parliament and ensure that statements regarding policy are made in the House and subject to voluntary and proper scrutiny. Defra should affirm its commitment to doing so in its response to this report. (Recommendation, …
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Government Response Summary
The government accepted the recommendation, affirming its commitment to parliamentary scrutiny and stating that work is underway across the Department to improve parliamentary capability, especially concerning written Parliamentary Questions.
Conclusions (3) Observations and findings — click to expand
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Ministers have taken on responsibility for farming policy in difficult economic and geopolitical circumstances, and we welcome their strong commitments to back British produce, protect farmers in trade deals and improve fairness in the food supply chain. We welcome the increased scrutiny of farming policy in Parliament, and we are …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the need for a clear vision and confirms Defra is actively developing the 25-year Farming Roadmap, which will set the direction for the farming sector and aims to publish it later this year.
3
Conclusion
Accepted
Farms are professional businesses and remain adaptable to change, but they must plan for changes well in advance with confidence about the future environment they will be operating in. We have concerns that the Department has not yet demonstrated that it is sufficiently alive to the urgency of setting out …
Government Response Summary
The government committed to providing more information on the reformed SFI offer later this summer, outlining its core vision and budget controls. It also appointed Baroness Minette Batters to lead a review of farming profitability, supported by a new team.
5
Conclusion
Accepted
Farmers and the rural community are fundamental to delivering the Government’s plan for change. They provide high quality, nutritious food, deliver environmental goods and maintain landscapes for us all to enjoy. The Government has an exciting opportunity to shape the future of farming as we transition from legacy payments, and …
Government Response Summary
The government reopened the Capital Grants offer on 3 July 2025, making £150 million available for farmers to invest in equipment and services. It also committed to ensuring the 25-year Farming Roadmap reflects stakeholder views through continued engagement.