Farming is being hamstrung by lack of government understanding and support – but there are significant opportunities ahead. That's according to speakers at the Royal Bath & West Show this week (28-30 May).

Chairing the CLA debate, Show President Alice Plunkett said the Government lacks the understanding required to implement policies that genuinely support the rural sector. But with the right information to hand, and by enabling and encouraging growth in farming and food businesses, tremendous change could be unleashed.

"Confidence is a big issue," warned Joe Evans, Deputy President of the CLA. "Regulation is making it difficult to do business and farmers feel beleaguered. But food security is rising up the national agenda." Society is starting to realise that farmers hold the key not only to food security, but to climate change, water management and natural capital. "There's a lot of work to do on the policy front, but we're the only people who can do this."

Jeremy Moody, Secretary and Adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers, said the Government has walked away from agricultural and environmental policy since October 2024. But there are advantages to that – by no longer being beholden to anyone, farmers can take charge of their own business direction.

As the country gets progressively poorer in real terms, expecting Defra funding to be a salvation to farming is no longer realistic, warned Mr Moody. But there are other, targeted ways that better policy could encourage business growth and investment. And the top quartile of farmers are the ones who will be successful by just quietly getting on with things.

Growing exports

Richard Clothier, Managing Director at Wyke Farms, said the key to business resilience is exports, ideally to a diverse range of customers and regions. "Food and farming is a huge sector but we're not included in any growth plans," he said. The country has moved from 70% self-sufficient around WW2 times to just 50-55% now, making the nation very vulnerable to climate shocks or geopolitical events. "With the right politics in place UK dairying could grow by 50%."

British and global consumers really value high-quality, high-welfare British food, and producers should focus on added-value, branded sales, added Mr Clothier. But Defra should not be the department in charge of growth. "The Department of Business and Trade really understands that food and farming have a lot to offer."

Defra Minister Dame Angela Eagle also visited the show and admitted the Government is not solving anything overnight. However, she insisted it understands the difficulty of high fertiliser and diesel prices, and wants to work with farmers, with the £225m Capital Grants Scheme opening in July. "It has been one of the most difficult years for agriculture," she said. And it is a priority to help farmers navigate through difficult times.

Celebrations

Meanwhile, the show provided a celebration for those who've weathered more than their fair share of good times and bad. In the Long Service Awards, four farm workers totalling 185 years in agriculture were recognised for their achievements: Stuart Marsh, Alan Lee, Pam Taylor, and Grahame Wiles. A further six were presented with awards for 30+ years stewarding at the Show: Robert Dimond, William Yeats, Peter Sherborne, Anna Clare Seymour, Mary James and David Batten.

The Prince of Wales Award, for initiatives run by the community for the community, went to the Hoppiness Project in Bristol. Also shortlisted were Aishah's Food Charity, Bromham Community Hub and Grow for Life.

In the Farm Vet of the Future Award, Rebecca Vining was crowned the winner. She studies at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Edinburgh, alongside the runner-up, Ryan Lee.

"The Royal Bath & West Show is a celebration of every element of farming and rural life," said Chief Executive Carol Paris. "It's a pleasure to recognise the hard work and achievements of these rural stalwarts, set against the backdrop of nearly 250 years of the Bath & West's history."

·        The Royal Bath & West Show takes place at The Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset BA4 6QN, from 28–30 May. Buy tickets at https://www.bathandwest.com/tickets-3