Following the recent reshuffle at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), concerns are growing that policy progress may stall while the newly appointed Secretary of State, Emma Reynolds MP, and DEFRA Food Security and Farming Minister, Dame Angela Eagle DBE MP, undertake a review of existing workstreams.

TFA Farm Policy Adviser, Lynette Steel, said: “While a rapid review may be necessary for the new team to take stock, any delay in critical policy decisions would come as a serious blow to farmers, many of whom are waiting on clarity to support business planning beyond the end of the year.”

Key decisions currently awaiting ministerial sign-off include:

• The future of Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements expiring at the end of 2025
• The rollout of Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) 2026
• Progression of Countryside Stewardship Higher Tier (CS HT) applications
• Urgent policy development for commons and uplands

“These issues are critical to ensuring continuity and confidence across the sector. The uncertainty risks leaving farmers in limbo, unable to make informed business decisions or investments at a time when planning for the 2026 season is already underway”, said Lynette.

In addition to these immediate concerns, several major strategic documents are also pending, including:

• The Land Use Framework
• The Environmental Improvement Plan
• The Farm Profitability Review

Together, these papers are expected to feed into a comprehensive Farming Road Map—a long-term strategy to outline Labour’s vision for a profitable, sustainable farming sector.

The TFA is calling on DEFRA to keep momentum going and make decisions without delay. Farmers need clear information, as soon as possible, to understand what the future looks like and how it will affect their own businesses.