Former NFU president and crossbench peer, Baroness Minette Batters, has been appointed to lead a review of farm profitability.
The appointment was made by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed and will see recommendations on farm profitability made.
Baroness Batters will provide short, medium and long term recommendations, and propose actions for government and industry, with support from the newly formed Profitability Unit within Defra.
Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said: “Backing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural economic growth and boost Britain’s food security.
“We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the New Deal for Farmers. But we must go further and faster as part of our Plan for Change to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth.
“That is why I am delighted to appoint Baroness Batters, and her years of experience as a leader during a time of great change in British agriculture make her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers’ long-term profits.”
Baroness Minette Batters said: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be. There will not be one ‘silver bullet’ to fire but I’m hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation’s food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment.
“I’m pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommendations to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.”