Supermarkets across Britain are facing the risk of beef and lamb shortages as struggling farmers grapple with the loss of EU subsidies. The decline in subsidies post-Brexit, coupled with mounting cost pressures, has prompted many farmers to decrease their livestock numbers. This reduction could lead to a shortage of high-quality homegrown meat.
According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), upland farm businesses will experience an average loss of 37% in support payments as basic subsidies are phased out in favor of green schemes. The UK government has implemented its own green farming initiatives, replacing the European Union’s £2.4 billion subsidy regime after Brexit. This new system promises farmers financial incentives for actions that benefit the environment.
Despite these efforts, industry leaders caution that the current sustainable-linked subsidies do not cater to the needs of hill farmers, resulting in many missing out on crucial payments that help sustain their operations. The UK government has previously pledged to introduce a new funding package this year. However, the timeline for its implementation has been delayed.
The prevailing uncertainty in the sector has already compelled some farmers to downsize their operations, heightening the likelihood of potential shortages in British beef and lamb supplies. Helen Drinkall, a farmer from Chorley, Lancashire, recently reduced the number of cattle on her farm after years of barely staying afloat.
Ms. Drinkall emphasized the need for industry changes to prevent further shrinkage: It depends on whether the British public values having homegrown beef and lamb on supermarket shelves because supermarkets will always find it somewhere. They’ll just import more, so the beef and lamb will be less climate-friendly, lower welfare, and just not up to the standards we’re used to.
Hill farmers argue that the current UK schemes fail to acknowledge their contribution to countryside maintenance in upland areas, including well-known national parks such as the Peak District and Exmoor. While farmers growing crops can receive payments for implementing birdseed strips or creating hedgerows, those operating in hilly terrains are unable to undertake such measures.
Typically, upland farming focuses on raising cattle and lambs due to unsuitable conditions for cultivating crops or fresh produce. However, hill farmers emphasize their involvement in maintaining local footpaths and enhancing biodiversity in the regions where they operate.
David Exwood, vice president of the NFU, expressed that the expected decline in government subsidies does not come as a surprise to hill farmers. He stated that the NFU has been urging ministers to expedite proposals that provide meaningful income in return for the vital management hill farms deliver and the environmental goods they supply.
The possible shortage of British beef and lamb is a concern not only for farmers but also for consumers who value high-quality, locally produced meat. The challenge ahead lies in establishing sustainable and tailored support systems that adequately recognize the efforts of hill farmers and ensure the continued availability of homegrown produce on supermarket shelves.
