Former Environment Secretary Steve Barclay has criticized Labour’s agricultural policies, arguing that they will harm farmers and food production across the UK. He claims that Labour has already increased costs, introduced new taxes, and imposed policies that force farmers to produce more with fewer resources.
One of the most controversial policies is Labour’s green farming plan, which will result in at least 9% of farmland being removed from food production and another 5% being mostly taken out of use. According to Barclay, this is the equivalent of 12,000 UK farms being forced out of business. He warns that other smaller policy changes could further impact the farming industry, making the situation even worse.
Livestock and dairy farmers are expected to be hit the hardest by these policies. Instead of defending these key industries, Labour’s Environment Secretary suggested that people should reduce their meat consumption to meet climate targets. Barclay argues that this attitude undermines a vital part of the UK’s rural economy.
Barclay compared Labour’s approach to his own time leading the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). He says he focused on supporting food production while also implementing nature-friendly improvements, such as better soil quality and more pollinators to help crops grow. He believes that increasing agricultural productivity should be the priority, but Labour’s policies are doing the exact opposite.
A major concern for farmers is Labour’s new “family farm tax,” which discourages investment in modern farming equipment and techniques. According to Barclay, this tax makes it harder for farmers to improve productivity, putting them at a disadvantage.
He also pointed out that Labour has failed to support long-term agricultural innovations like automation, vertical farming, and gene editing. The lack of progress on gene editing laws is particularly frustrating, as this technology could help farmers develop drought-resistant and disease-resistant crops, giving the UK a competitive edge in global agriculture.
Barclay accused Labour of breaking its promises to rural communities. During the last election campaign, Labour denied plans to impose inheritance tax on farms or remove large amounts of land from food production. However, he says that both policies are now being implemented, proving that Labour cannot be trusted when it comes to supporting farmers or protecting UK food security.
Many in the farming industry are now deeply concerned about the impact of these policies on rural livelihoods and the future of British agriculture. With rising costs, increased regulation, and uncertainty over food production, farmers feel they have been abandoned by the government.
