Can Reform UK be trusted to deliver for farming?
© PA Images/Alamy Stock Photo As the UK enters a new political era, many British farmers are feeling politically homeless, disillusioned by the policies of the mainstream parties.
With local elections fast approaching, Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, will be looking to capitalise on this discontent.
The party secured 14.3% of the national vote in the general election last July, translating to more than four million votes and five parliamentary seats.
According to the latest Farmers Weekly Sentiment Survey, conducted in December 2024, 15% of farmers voted for Reform UK.
See also: Labour government challenged to deliver for farming in 2025
As the next general election likely remains a few years away, recent polling by YouGov shows Reform UK in a strong position.
They are sitting narrowly in second place at 25%, just behind Labour on 26%, and ahead of the Conservatives on 21%.
At the local council elections in England on 1 May, Reform UK, the successor to Mr Farage’s Brexit Party, plans to build on growing dissatisfaction with the Labour government to expand its support base and establish itself outside the traditional two-party system.
The party’s 2024 election manifesto, “Our Contract With You”, offers a roadmap for its vision on British farming and rural affairs, detailing key proposals that could reshape the agricultural landscape.
5 key Reform UK rural and farming policies
- Increase England’s annual farming budget to £3bn
- Scrap climate-related farming subsidies, reduce burdens
- Increase food security by ensuring 70% of UK’s food is produced in UK
- Boost retail competition, but ensure fairer pricing for farmers
- Protect country sports, support local rural economies
Manifesto pledges
Reform UK’s manifesto outlines significant farming policies, starting with an increase in England’s annual farming budget to £3bn (up from £2.4bn).
This funding aims to assist small farms, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and encourage young people into the agricultural industry.
However, one of the most contentious aspects of its policy is the plan to scrap climate-related farming subsidies, which the party argues are an economic burden.
Critics, however, warn that removing agri-environment schemes, like Defra’s Environmental Land Management (ELM) programme, would threaten the long-term sustainability of UK agriculture.
This is especially the case as climate change leads to more extreme weather events.
While some farmers support the commitment to continue direct payments, others are concerned that removing “green” subsidies could encourage less sustainable farming practices, undoing recent environmental progress.
Although Reform UK’s rural policies may appeal to a groundswell of rural voters, environmental groups have raised significant concerns.
The Wildlife Trusts have strongly opposed the party’s climate stance, warning that abandoning net-zero commitments would exacerbate the ongoing climate crisis.
The Nature Friendly Farming Network (NFFN) UK has also raised alarm about the damaging impact of scrapping climate-related farm support.
“Moving away from climate-related subsidies would be disastrous,” says NFFN UK chief executive Martin Lines. “Climate change is having a profound impact on our industry, and investing in climate resilience is crucial for the UK economy.”
Reform UK plans to impose a windfall tax on wind and solar energy firms if it wins the next general election, aiming to raise £10bn a year.
The tax will recover renewable energy subsidies, primarily through a generation tax and a special corporation tax rate.
Support for domestic food
Another flagship proposal in the manifesto is ensuring that 70% of the food consumed in the UK is produced domestically.
Reform UK aims to achieve this by lowering food costs, boosting industry resilience, and addressing supermarket price-fixing.
Their manifesto includes proposals to empower the Competition and Markets Authority to ensure fairer pricing for farmers and remove business rates for farm shops, which would support smaller operations and local food sales.
In addition, the party supports taxpayer-funded organisations sourcing 75% of their food from UK producers to enhance food security and reduce the environmental impact of food imports.
Clear food labelling would also allow consumers to make informed choices and encourage them to support British farmers, Reform UK says.
The party supports protecting country sports like hunting and shooting, which they argue are vital for local economies and conservation.
Furthermore, it proposes planning reforms to fast-track new housing on brownfield sites.
Mixed reactions from rural groups
While many of Reform UK’s policies resonate with rural voters, David Bean, parliament and government relations manager at the non-partisan Countryside Alliance, warns that the party’s stance raises questions about how it would govern.
“Realistically, the only insight we have into Reform UK is what the party has outlined in its manifesto,” Mr Bean tells Farmers Weekly.
He adds: “You can oppose inconsistently, but when it comes down to it, governing requires consistency.”
Mr Bean says the upcoming Welsh government election in May 2026 could provide an indication of how Reform UK might perform in government, if it was to win power, which would more likely be in a power-sharing arrangement.
He also highlights concerns about Reform UK’s trade policies, noting contradictions in its support for British farming, particularly with its pro-Brexit stance and backing of US trade deals.
Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat spokesperson for rural affairs, argues that Reform UK’s trade policies would harm the industry.
“Reform’s only achievement so far has been to make it more difficult for our farmers to trade with our closest neighbours in Europe,” Mr Farron says.
“So British farmers are poorer because of Reform already.
“And because they love [US president] Donald Trump more than they love our country, they are desperate to do a trade deal that would give US farmers a clear advantage over British farmers.
“In practice, Reform are British farmers’ worst enemy.”
Uncertain consequences
As the UK faces challenges such as climate change, food insecurity, and rural depopulation, the debate continues over whether Reform UK can provide a viable alternative to Labour and the Conservatives.
The party’s commitment to supporting domestic food production, increasing farming budgets, and ensuring fair pricing is commendable.
However, its rejection of climate-related policies and push to abandon net-zero goals raises questions about the long-term sustainability of its proposals.
Reform UK’s vision for UK agriculture could offer stability, but for many, its environmental impact remains a significant concern.
Reform UK did not respond to Farmers Weekly’s request for an interview regarding its rural and farming policies.
Farmers give their verdict on Reform UK and its policies
Many British farmers are attracted to Reform UK’s rural and farming policies, especially its strong opposition to inheritance tax, though scepticism about the party’s ability to govern persists.
Jono Dixon, East Riding
Jono Dixon, a farmer from East Riding of Yorkshire, is intrigued by Reform UK’s commitment to addressing longstanding farming issues.
However, he’s unsure whether the party can follow through on its promises if it gains power.
“Over the past 50-60 years, we’ve had nothing but Labour or the Conservatives, hot air, and unfulfilled promises,” he says. “This is exactly what’s happening now with Labour under Keir Starmer.”
While Mr Dixon admires Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, he’s concerned about his leadership credentials as prime minister.
“I have a lot of admiration for Nigel Farage, but I have this nagging feeling that when the going gets tough, he might bail out. On the other hand, I think Rupert Lowe is the politician of the year.”
Food security is a major concern for Mr Dixon, particularly the potential for lower-standard imports such as chlorine-washed chicken and hormone-injected beef in a US trade deal.
“We can’t afford to have those kinds of imports into this country,” he argues. “If we can’t use these practices here, why should we accept them from abroad?”
Mr Dixon also supports a “UK First” approach, emphasising the need to protect British farming standards and interests.
Eveey Hunter, Hertfordshire
Eveey Hunter, an arable farmer from Hertfordshire, reflects that many farmers are unsure whether Reform UK will deliver for agriculture.
“It’s a hot topic,” she says. Although she supports the party’s opposition to farm inheritance tax, she questions whether the party’s votes merely siphoned support from the Conservatives in the election.
She’s also unsure whether Mr Farage is truly cut out to be prime minister.
Colin Rayner, Berkshire
Colin Rayner, a Berkshire farmer and steadfast Conservative supporter, thinks Reform UK should step aside in seats with traditional Conservative candidates.
“Otherwise, we’ll face another five years of Labour, and their policies have been disastrous for British farming,” he adds.