Source · Select Committees · Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
1st Report - The Government’s vision for farming
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
HC 906
Published 16 May 2025
Government response
2nd Special Report – The Government’s vision for farming: Government Response · published 3 Sep 2025
Recommendations & Conclusions
1
Conclusion
Accepted
Committee welcomes government commitments to British farming, food security, and planned strategic reviews.
Conclusion
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 …
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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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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3
Conclusion
Accepted
Present clearer exposition of government's vision and credible plans for the farming sector.
Conclusion
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 …
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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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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5
Conclusion
Accepted
Farmers are fundamental; productivity, grants, and fairness are key drivers for self-sufficient farming.
Conclusion
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 …
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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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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16
Recommendation
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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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18
Recommendation
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.
Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs
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