A POLL warns food production, nature improvements, and rural businesses are at risk if farming schemes fail.

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) survey, involving 250 farmers and landowners, reveals that the government’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes are vital for their survival.

Transitioning to these post-Brexit schemes has progressed, but any delays or insufficient funding could destabilise farms, jeopardising sustainable food production and nature improvements.

The poll found that 80 per cent of respondents consider payments through the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and Countryside Stewardship (CS) schemes crucial for their businesses' viability. Just eight per cent disagreed.

Most farmers and landowners are eager to contribute to environmental improvements, with 85 per cent supporting the use of some agricultural land for wildlife and environmental enhancement.

Three-quarters of those surveyed are currently enrolled in SFI or CS schemes, with 35 per cent earning between £10,000 and £30,000 annually for delivering various environmental outcomes.

The results precede the Chancellor's new government budget announcement.

The CLA has been advocating for an increase in the farming budget to £3.8 billion annually in England.

President of the CLA, Victoria Vyvyan said: "As this survey demonstrates, farmers are willing and able to feed the nation and improve the environment – but we can't do it on a shoestring budget."

She added that without the right economic, regulatory and political conditions, farmers will be unable to deliver on the multitude of societal demands.

She said: "The CLA believes that Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes have the potential to lead the world in creating a sustainable agriculture and environment policy, and we support the direction of travel – but the budget must be right."

Gloucestershire farmer and CLA member Alex Robinson added: "These schemes have been a lifeline for nature on my farm.

"Birds, bees, and wildflowers are coming back, including 14 red-listed bird species many of which we haven't seen in decades.

"My soil health is now steadily improving too, which means when I return to arable farming, I’ll be able to grow more resilient crops for years to come.

"But all of this progress is at risk.

The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been urged to not to forget about rural communities The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has been urged to not to forget about rural communities (Image: PA)

"If funding is cut, I won’t be able to keep investing in soil and nature, and that puts our climate, biodiversity and long-term food security in real danger.

"Labour promised a better future for farming— the budget is their chance to make good on that promise."