Tag: UK Farming

A Few Thoughts on Minette Batters’ Farming Profitability Review (FPR)

Expectations of the FPR

The Farming Profitability Review, authored by Minette Batters, was finally released yesterday. Like many others, I downloaded the 150‑page document hoping it might herald positive change for our farmers.

Given Minette’s respected tenure as NFU president, many anticipated that this review would provide a clear, unvarnished account of the situation.

Authored and presented by one of their own, it was expected to carry the weight and credibility needed to push government support for UK farming back to where it belongs.

On that basis, the content does read as a genuine set of proposals rooted in what the industry itself recognises as urgent needs. Phrases such as “A New Deal for Profitable Farming”, the FARM proposal, and the assertion that “The UK is widely regarded as one of the most prized food markets in the world” will sound like music to many ears. Yet they also underscore the uncomfortable question: why, when everyone in the UK needs food every day, are farm businesses failing or closing?

Industry Context & Policy

The report covers the expected themes – profitability, overseas trade, nutrition, and more. But context is everything.

The elephant in the room is that farming policy continues to follow the establishment’s agenda: serving government and big business interests rather than what is genuinely best for farmers, and therefore for all of us.

This is where major food and farming advocacy organisations, and their champions old and new, fall short. They continue to operate within the framework defined by government, addressing symptoms rather than causes, and avoiding the deeper realities of the industry’s decline.

Documents of this kind often reveal the underlying truths driving government thinking. One of the clearest comes early in the Foreword, where Minette reminds readers that politicians dismiss farming because it represents only 0.6% of GDP. This stark figure highlights that, for politicians, the economy and money matter far more than farming, food security or the human issues as most normal people see them.

An industry valued at just 0.6% of GDP, reliant on grants and subsidies that do little to boost GDP, is not seen as an engine of growth. Ministers repeatedly emphasise their obsession with economic output, because under the current financial system – broken and rapidly failing as it is – growth is the only measure that sustains their positions while allowing them to avoid responsibility.

Profitability: Competing Definitions

The fact that the review is overtly about profitability says it all – not least because the term carries very different meanings depending on who is using it.

For farmers and small business owners, profitability means staying in the black: running a viable enterprise that pays wages and hopefully leaves a little extra. For politicians, however, profitability is measured in terms of supermarket margins and GDP contributions.

This warped definition highlights how broken the system has become: profitability is reduced to a metric of economic growth, rather than the lived reality of whether farms can survive.

In this way, farming is forced to fit into an economic narrative that serves government borrowing and spending priorities, rather than the needs of those who produce our food.

Economic Pressures and Regulatory Burdens

The figures in the report speak volumes: machinery costs have risen by 31%, and compliance with new regulations demands massive investment.

Though introduced under the guise of improving standards, these rules inevitably push more farmers and allied businesses out of the market because they cannot compete – and that reality bears much of the truth that lies behind the journey that UK farming has been on since the early 70’s.

Put bluntly, farming within this framework is not viable – and was never intended to be.

The establishment does not want traditional, independent farms to survive.

Even Minette’s more positive suggestions, however well‑intentioned, cannot succeed in this context. They risk becoming distractions – “dead cats” -designed to maintain the illusion that government is invested in the UK food chain and food security, when the evidence clearly shows otherwise.

What I would have liked to see is a stronger message about the importance of UK food production and the need to move towards self‑sufficiency.

Feeding the British public with fresh, healthy, nutritious food that is accessible and affordable should not be an aspiration – it should already be the baseline.

With food as vital as it is, and every one of us needing at least two meals a day, this is surely more important than abstract questions of GDP growth.

Harsh though it may sound, this report feels more like a whitewash than a clean shet. It’s exactly the kind of document political and establishment leaders hope for to cover their tracks and agendas.

Knowing how those from the farming advocacy organisations play along with government to stay close to power rather than risk friction, it stands to reason that the review may have been genuine and well‑intentioned but never risked being positioned to create problems for politicians by tabling the full truth. Regrettably, it fails to grapple with the central issue: the government’s relationship with farming is not about food, farming, or feeding the nation – it is simply about money and the transfer of power and wealth.

Government is not deaf to farmers – it simply does not care. That indifference is the real crisis.

The current approach to UK Agricultural and Food Policy, embedded long before this Labour government, is dismantling our food production capability by making it impossible for farmers to continue. This is a growing risk to everyone.

If borders closed tomorrow and external food supplies were cut off, around only 12% of the UK’s food supply would be immediately available to consumers.

The rest – despite the UK producing 52–58% the equivalent of what it consumes – would not be any good to the public for a considerable time, because the UK farming is subservient to and fits within the Euro‑Global food chain.

The majority of our People could go hungry in a real crisis and this is the reality we should be confronting – not how profits and therefore more helpful statistics are made.

A Call for Farmer-Led Change

Ultimately, only the farming industry can save itself – and that means taking immediate risks.

However, taking risks while there is still an industry left worth risking must surely be better than passively watching its demise until every independent and family farm in the UK has been shut down.

Summary & Key Takeaways:
Adam offers a critical perspective on the Farming Profitability Review, highlighting both its intentions and its limitations from the viewpoint of UK farmers and food producers.

Key Points

  • High Expectations, Mixed Delivery:
    Farmers and industry stakeholders anticipated a transformative report, given Minette Batters’s reputation and leadership. The FPR presents genuine suggestions but remains constrained by establishment narratives.
  • Profitability Framed by Policy:
    The FPR’s focus on profitability is shaped by government priorities – specifically, farming’s small contribution to GDP. This economic lens overshadows broader issues like food security and the viability of independent farms.
  • Systemic Challenges:
    Rising costs (e.g., machinery up 31%) and regulatory burdens are pushing more farmers out of business. The FPR acknowledges these pressures but doesn’t fully address their root causes.
  • Establishment Influence:
    The FPR is too aligned with government and the aims of large corporate organisations that influence the food chain, lacking the independent advocacy needed to truly represent farmers’ interests.
  • Food Security Concerns:
    Adam’s response stresses the importance of UK food self-sufficiency, noting that current policies leave the nation vulnerable if external supply chains are disrupted.
  • Call for Farmer-Led Solutions:
    Ultimately, Adam argues that only the farming industry itself can safeguard its future, urging collective action and risk-taking to preserve independent and family farms.

Further Reading:

The resources below have been selected to help you explore the central themes discussed in this response.
Key topics include:

  • The roles and priorities of farmers and consumers in UK food production
  • The impact of government policy, economic pressures, and systemic challenges on farming
  • The importance of food security and community resilience
  • Practical solutions and future directions for rebuilding and sustaining the UK food system

1. Understanding UK Food Production & Stakeholders

2. Policy, Economics & Systemic Challenges

3. Solutions, Action & Future Directions

Batters Farming Profitability Review December 2025 PDFDownload
Response to the FPR PDF_Vers1_19Dec25Download

Adam’s Food and Farming Portfolio: A Guide to Books, Blogs and Solutions

Welcome to Building Better Futures: Food, Community, and Beyond – a portfolio that brings together a diverse collection of blogs and books dedicated to shaping resilient communities and thriving local economies through the lens of food and farming.

This area of work is a vital part of my broader professional journey, reflecting a commitment to practical solutions, thoughtful analysis, and transformative ideas.

Within this collection, you’ll find a wide range of resources – many of which are available as downloadable PDFs at each link, making it easy to access and share insights.

A number of the books are also available for purchase as Kindle editions on Amazon, offering flexible ways to engage with the material.

Central to this portfolio is my belief that food sits at the very heart of future communities and local economies. This vision is explored within the works listed here, with each section delving into how food systems, sustainable agriculture, and collaborative local action can empower individuals and strengthen society.

From foundational essays on the importance of farming, through analyses of current challenges and policy barriers, to practical blueprints for resilient food systems, these resources invite you to reimagine what’s possible for our shared future.

Please explore the links below to discover actionable ideas, innovative models, and a vision for building better futures – starting with food, and reaching far beyond.

1. Foundations: The Importance of Food and Farming

Introduction:
This section lays the groundwork for understanding why food and farming are central to the wellbeing of communities and nations. These pieces highlight the fundamental role of agriculture and the urgent need to recognise and support those who produce our food.


Having established the essential role of food and farming in society, the next section delves into the pressing challenges and threats facing the UK’s food system today.

These entries reveal why urgent attention and action are needed to safeguard our agricultural foundations.

2. Current Challenges: Crisis, Policy, and Threats

Introduction:
This section examines the mounting pressures and systemic issues threatening UK food security. The entries here analyse the causes and consequences of the current crisis, urging immediate action to prevent further decline.


Understanding the scope of the crisis leads naturally to an exploration of the political and economic barriers that hinder progress.

The following pieces critique the policies and market forces that shape – and often obstruct – efforts to build a resilient food system.

3. Political and Economic Barriers

Introduction:
This section explores the political and economic obstacles that hinder progress in food and farming. The entries critique current policies and highlight the need for a shift toward self-sufficiency and local resilience.


With the obstacles clearly outlined, attention turns to how farmers and their allies are responding.

This section examines the spectrum of advocacy and activism, highlighting both the risks and the opportunities for constructive change.

4. Farmer Responses: Advocacy, Militancy, and New Directions

Introduction:
This section discusses how farmers and their supporters are responding to challenges. It encourages constructive, peaceful approaches and warns against divisive or counterproductive activism.


Moving beyond reaction, the next section focuses on solutions. Here, collaboration and local action take centre stage, offering practical pathways to strengthen food security and empower communities.

5. Building Solutions: Collaboration and Localisation

Introduction:
This section presents constructive approaches for improving food security and farming. It emphasizes collaboration, local action, and practical steps to build a resilient food system.


As collaborative efforts gain momentum, the conversation expands to consider new models for local economic governance. These entries introduce innovative mechanisms – such as barter and exchange – that can underpin a more resilient and equitable food system.

6. Economic Systems: Local Governance and Exchange

Introduction:
This section introduces new models for local economic governance, focusing on food as a central pillar. It explores alternative mechanisms like barter and exchange, and proposes frameworks for economies that prioritize collective wellbeing.


Finally, the collection concludes by examining the deeper questions of control and power within food systems.

This last section analyses who holds influence, how policy shapes outcomes, and what it will take to build trustworthy, future-proof food systems for all.

7. Control, Power, and the Future

Introduction:
This section concludes the collection by examining who holds power in food systems and what that means for the future. These entries analyse policy, strategy, and the blueprint for building trustworthy, resilient food systems.

Let’s Continue the Conversation

Thank you for taking the time to explore Building Better Futures: Food, Community, and Beyond.

If the ideas, resources, or practical solutions here have sparked your interest, I would be delighted to hear from you. Whether you have questions, wish to discuss any of the topics in more depth, or are interested in collaborating, please feel free to get in touch.

I am always happy to share insights, exchange perspectives, and support your work. If you’re organizing an event or discussion where these themes are relevant, I welcome invitations to speak and contribute.

Let’s build better futures together – starting with food, and reaching far beyond.

Building Better Futures Portfolio PDF_Vers1_18Dec25Download

Foods We Can Farm, Catch, Harvest and Grow Locally in and around the UK

It’s no great wonder that Foods We Can Trust are thought by many to be boring and bland, as well as being expensive and increasingly difficult to buy or access.

The alternatives often taste good. Always seem to be available whenever and wherever we want them, and in terms of the cost of everything we buy today, the most convenient Foods also appear to be the cheapest.

Ask anyone how many natural, locally or UK produced Foods they could find at a shop they regularly use to buy today, and the list will probably be short and at the same time confirm everything that I’ve just outlined above.

However, the number and variety of Foods We Can Trust that are available across the U.K. and that may be growing on a farm, in an orchard, in someone’s allotment, or perhaps are being docked at a fishing harbour near us today is much greater than many of us think.

We will talk about nutritional values, seasonality, production and other really useful things to know about how we make Foods We Can Trust available to everyone as a part of normal life in other posts.

But for now, becoming aware of and understanding the list basic Foods, or Foods that are either available or could become available to us that we can grow, farm, harvest or catch locally across the UK or around our coastline, is a very important place for us to begin.

A Work in Progress

The information that I am about to share is based on what I either know already, or what I have been able to research using sources such as those that I will link later on this page.

One of the reasons that I began Foods We Can Trust is that I hope to share information about Food Production that isn’t widely known or acknowledge about the Foods We Can Trust that are already widely available, or could be, if we decide to take a different approach.

As such, I hope that the following Tables will be updated and will in time be accompanied by posts, videos and resources that will come from other contributors.

If you notice any errors, glaring omissions or would like to add something yourself, please get in touch!

For now, the Foods We Can Farm, Catch, Harvest and Grow Locally in and around The UK will be broken down into the following groups, with a little detail to help with each:

  • Fruits
  • Vegetables
  • Crops
  • Livestock
  • Wild Livestock & Game
  • Natural Fish and Seafood Landed at UK Ports
  • Natural Fish that can be Line Caught from UK Rivers etc.
  • Dairy Products that can be made from UK produced Milk

Please note that the inclusion or exclusion of anything may not be deliberate and anything you are aware of may be added later.

Equally, inclusion is not making any statement upon the views and perspectives of any individual or group that believe certain foods should be included or excluded for ideological, religious or other reasons. This is about being practical and realistic about the food that we can grow, produce and that is otherwise available across the UK.

Table 1: Fruits that grow or can be grown in the UK

Table 2: Vegetables that grow or can be grown in the UK

Table 3: Crop Types that grow or can be grown in the UK

UK Crops
 AKAFood UseOther Uses
Barley Bread, Soups, Stews, IngredientsBrewing, Distilling, Animal Feed
Beans (Faba)  Animal Feed, Green Manure
LinseedFlaxseedBread, Biscuits, Cakes, Snack Bars, Porridges, Curries, StewsOil
Oats Porridge, Overnight Oats, Granola, Flapjacks, Flour 
Oilseed RapeCanola OilCooking Oil, Mayonnaise, Margarine, Food IngredientBiodiesel
Peas Soups, Casseroles, Pasties, CurryAnimal Feed,
Rye Flour, BreadAnimal Feed, Cover Crop
Sugar Beet Sugar 
Wheat Bread, Cakes, Biscuits, Flour 

Table 4: Livestock that is Farmed or can be Farmed in the UK

UK Livestock (Farm Produced)
 Food UseFood ProducedOther Goods
ChickensChicken, Breast, Fillet, Thighs, Drumsticks, Burgers, Cold Meet,EggsFeathers
Cattle (Cows)Beef, Joints, Ribs, Steak, Burgers, Sausages, Cold Meat, DrippingMilk (All Dairy)Leather
DeerVenison, Burgers  
DucksDuck Feathers
GeeseGoose, Goose Fat Feathers
PigsPork, Chops, Sausages, Sausage Rolls, Burgers, Ribs, Hams, Crackling  
SheepLamb, Mutton, Joints, Chops, Burgers Wool
TurkeysTurkey, Burgers, Cold Meat Feathers

Table 5: Wild Livestock & Game found in the UK

UK Livestock & Game (Wild)
 Food Use
BoarBoar
DeerVenison
GrouseGrouse
HaresHare
RabbitsRabbit
Wood PigeonPigeon
PheasantPheasant

Table 6: Natural Fish and Seafood that is or can be landed at UK Fishing Ports

UK Landed Fish (Seafood)
 AKA
Anglerfishes 
Atlantic Cod 
Atlantic Halibut 
Atlantic Herring 
Atlantic Horse Mackerel 
Atlantic Mackerel 
Ballan Wrasse 
Black Seabream 
Blonde Ray 
Brill 
CatsharksNursehounds
Clams 
Common Cuttlefish 
Common Dab 
Common Edible Cockle 
Common Octopus 
Common Prawn 
Common Shrimp 
Common Sole 
Cuckoo Ray 
CuttlefishBobtail Squid
Dogfishes and Hounds 
Edible Crab 
European Anchovy 
European Conger 
European Flat Oyster 
European Flounder 
European Hake 
European Lobster 
European PilchardSardines
European Plaice 
European Seabass 
European Smelt 
European Sprat 
European Squid 
Garfish 
Gilthead Seabream 
Great Atlantic Scallop 
Green Crab 
Grey Gurnard 
Haddock 
John Dory 
Lemon Sole 
Ling 
LumpfishLumpsucker
Manila Clam 
Megrim 
Megrims 
Mullets 
Norway Lobster 
Pacific Cupped Oyster 
Periwinkles 
Pollack 
PoutingBib
Queen Scallop 
Rabbit Fish 
Red Gurnard 
SaitheCoalfish
Sand Sole 
SandeelsSandlances
Sea Trout 
Shortfin Squids 
Small-Eyed Ray 
Small-Spotted Catshark 
Smooth-Hound 
Solen Razor Clams 
Spinous Spider Crab 
Spotted Ray 
Starry Smooth-Hound 
Thornback Ray 
Tope Shark 
Tub Gurnard 
Turbot 
Undulate Ray 
Velvet Swimming Crab 
Whelk 
Whiting 

Table 7: Natural Fish that is or can be line caught from UK Rivers and Watercourses

UK Fish (Wild/River)
Barbel
Bream
Chub
Common Bream
Common Carp
Crucian Carp
Dace
Grayling
Gudgeon
Perch
Pike
Roach
Rudd
Salmon
Silver Bream
Smelt
Tench
Trout

Please note that whilst links to information sources used to create this page are listed later under ‘Worth a Look’, I have added a link here to Gov.UK – Freshwater rod fishing rules, as there are clearly stipulated fishing allowances for anyone wishing to catch fish with a line from UK Rivers and Watercourses.

Table 8: Fish that is or can be Farmed in the UK

UK Farmed Fish (Aquaculture)
Atlantic Salmon
Lobsters
Mussels
Oysters
Rainbow Trout
Sea Bass

Table 9: Dairy Products that are or can be produced from UK Milk

UK Dairy Products
Butter
Cheese
Cream
Milk
Yoghurt

Worth a Look

I researched the content for the 9 tables listed above on 9 May 2025 using mostly Google Searches made from Cheltenham.

There are a number of very useful websites that will follow from where I sourced most of the information that I have pooled together to construct these Tables. There are others and these have been used because the information they offer is easy to use.

Please note that whilst there is every reason to believe the information linked below is both credible and from organisations considered the same, the inclusion of these links is neither an endorsement nor recommendation of the information these organisations provide. Their referencing here makes no suggestion of there being shared views or objectives, even if there are areas relevant to this page which are aligned.

The NFU (National Farmers Union) Seasonal Guide to British Fruit and Vegetables

The Vegetarian Society – Seasonal UK Grown Produce

The National Trust – Guide to Seasonal Food

DEFRA Accredited Official Statistics – Chapter 7: Crops

DEFRA Accredited Official Statistics – Chapter 8: Livestock

Marine Management Organisation – List of common species codes for Fish Landed in the United Kingdom

Gov.UK – Freshwater rod fishing rules

Overview on ‘Foods We Can Farm, Catch, Harvest and Grow Locally in and around the UK’

The information contained on this page is likely to be one of the most important parts of the Foods We Can Trust initiative.

When we remove all the noise and all the agenda-led information available about what Foods and Ingredients can be brought in from Overseas; what can be manufactured or produced in factories, and why these are the Food Sources that we can and must rely on, the reality is that it is only the Foods and the Ingredients for Meals that come from them that we can grow, catch, harvest and create from these, that have the potential to be classed as genuine Foods We Can Trust.

As this work progresses, I expect to reference this topic frequently, especially as we begin to look at different aspects of UK Food Production more closely, and at Grow Your Own and Home Growing in particular.

I am very keen to add as much information as I can in these important subject areas and will be very pleased to hear from anyone who can add to what is already here in ways that will promote awareness and understanding of the information and processes that will help everyone to have access to Food We Can Trust.

What is Food Security?
Our Local Future | FULL TEXT
Foods We Can Trust that the UK can Produce Vers1_PDF_09May25Download