A third of British farms are struggling to stay afloat, with many making little to no profit from their labor. The McCain Foods report reveals that only 14% of surveyed farmers managed to achieve a 10% or higher return on investment in the past year, leaving 35% at an even break-even point. This bleak financial picture is further compounded by the UK's post-Brexit farming reforms, which have seen subsidies drastically cut.
Prior to Brexit, EU funding made up nearly half of farmers' annual income. However, following the UK's departure from the bloc, these payments have been replaced with a new scheme designed to support environmental land management. This plan has been plagued by delays and inconsistencies, leaving many farmers feeling shortchanged.
The government's decision to introduce inheritance tax on farms worth over £1m has also caused widespread concern among farming communities. The prospect of young farmers being unable to inherit their family lands has sparked outrage and protests.
Farms are facing not only financial struggles but also the very real threat of climate change. In recent years, the UK has experienced extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, resulting in some of the worst harvests on record.
The McCain report highlights the toll that farming is taking on farmers' mental health, with over 61% stating that their work negatively affects their well-being and nearly a third working an average of 70 hours per week during peak seasons. The strain is also clear in the report's finding that 51% of farmers have considered leaving the industry due to financial pressures.
As one industry expert noted, "the findings must serve as a wake-up call" for policymakers, businesses, and industry bodies to work together to support British farmers.
Prior to Brexit, EU funding made up nearly half of farmers' annual income. However, following the UK's departure from the bloc, these payments have been replaced with a new scheme designed to support environmental land management. This plan has been plagued by delays and inconsistencies, leaving many farmers feeling shortchanged.
The government's decision to introduce inheritance tax on farms worth over £1m has also caused widespread concern among farming communities. The prospect of young farmers being unable to inherit their family lands has sparked outrage and protests.
Farms are facing not only financial struggles but also the very real threat of climate change. In recent years, the UK has experienced extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, resulting in some of the worst harvests on record.
The McCain report highlights the toll that farming is taking on farmers' mental health, with over 61% stating that their work negatively affects their well-being and nearly a third working an average of 70 hours per week during peak seasons. The strain is also clear in the report's finding that 51% of farmers have considered leaving the industry due to financial pressures.
As one industry expert noted, "the findings must serve as a wake-up call" for policymakers, businesses, and industry bodies to work together to support British farmers.
It's like, we have all this land just sitting there, but people can't even make ends meet. And those subsidies were basically keeping them afloat, you know? Now they're gone and it's like... what's next? 
I don't think the new plan is doing enough to help environmental land management, it seems really half-baked. And that inheritance tax thing? It's just gonna push people out of the industry altogether. But at the same time... I mean, we need farmers to take care of our soil and all that... so maybe we gotta find a way to make it work for everyone? 
It's like, a chicken or an egg situation - which came first, the struggling farms or the lack of subsidies? 
. It's like they're being squeezed from all sides - the subsidies are being cut, the government is messing with their inheritance, and now climate change is making it hard for them to even grow a decent crop? It's like they're fighting an uphill battle 
. I mean, 51% of farmers wanting to leave because of financial pressures is just heartbreaking 
.
. 14% return on investment is just not enough, you know? I mean, who can make ends meet with that kind of income? And it's not like they're just farming for the love of it – they're working their butts off to put food on our tables 
. It's like the system is stacked against them, and we need to step in as a society to help.
. Can you imagine not being able to pass down your family farm to the next gen? That's just heartbreaking 
.
... I mean, we all know it's real, but it feels like no one's doing enough to help the farms affected by extreme weather events 
.
And now they're introducing inheritance tax on farms over £1m? It's like, what's next? They need to step up their game and support these farmers ASAP 
. The mental health aspect is also super concerning - 61% of farmers are saying their work affects their well-being? Like, what kind of system is this? 
It's not like the UK didn't make things harder on them when they left the EU. I mean, come on, cut subsidies and introduce inheritance tax? That's just peachy for the farmers. 
And don't even get me started on climate change... it's like, we're supposed to be experts at this by now, right? 
The whole "farming is a mental health nightmare" thing should've been obvious from, like, 10 years ago. How many more farms do we need to fail before someone does something about it? 
and don't even get me started on the inheritance tax thing - it's so unfair that young farmers can't inherit their family lands 
climate change is also a huge problem for farming, I mean we've had some crazy weather events recently too 
61% of farmers are like literally suffering from mental health issues because of their work 
so yeah this report is definitely a wake-up call for everyone involved 
... young farmers need support, not being able to inherit their family land is a huge deal 
... 70 hours a week is just ridiculous 
. and those subsidies were probably just cramping their style anyway 
. & climate change is a real thing tho 
, i'm not gonna sit here and deny that.
), but these new reforms need a lot more finesse. And what's with the inheritance tax? It feels like they're cutting off farmers' lifeline 
! We need to make sure we're looking out for them, especially the young ones who are trying to carry on the family tradition 
– let's take action and ensure British farming stays afloat 
!
I'm really worried about the state of British farms right now. Like, think about it - half of them are barely making ends meet 
. The government, businesses, industry bodies - we all need to work together to support our farmers. This isn't just a farming issue; it's an economic and social issue that affects us all 
The cut in subsidies is huge and the new scheme is all messed up 
14% getting a good return on investment? That's like, super low 
And what about all the subsidies being cut? 
That's just cruel 
. And climate change is like, literally killing them 
. Mental health issues too? 
. Just some support and understanding would be great 
. Come on, policymakers! Listen up 
!