Defra opinion tracker reveals dwindling farmer confidence

Just one in three farmers in England feel positive about their own future in agriculture, according to Defra’s April 2025 Farmer Opinion Tracker for England. 

The percentage of farmers feeling optimistic about their own business’s future has plummeted from almost half (47%) three years ago to just 33% at present.

Another concerning discovery was that less than one-quarter of farmers feel positive about the future of the sector, after taking into account changes to existing schemes, payments and regulations.

See also: Defra to introduce SFI actions to improve water quality

Defra’s April 2025 survey received responses from more than 1,400 farm businesses.

Written responses to the survey were generally negative, with some replies referring to a lack of trust in Defra.

The impact of inheritance tax (IHT) changes, increased national insurance employer contributions, the withdrawal of Basic Payment Scheme funding and the closure of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to new applications, were all mentioned as challenges for farmers.

Defra still claims that IHT reforms are vital and that three-quarters of estates will continue to pay no inheritance tax at all.

However, this figure has been widely disputed by the agricultural industry, which argues that a much greater percentage will be affected.

Defra acknowledged that some of the responses to the tracker suggested confidence was at an “all-time low”, with many farmers feeling that their businesses were becoming “increasingly unviable”.

Replies also mentioned challenges such as adverse weather, competition from imports, high input prices, and low farmgate prices were affecting the viability of farm businesses.

Defra farming minister Daniel Zeichner reiterated that government support for British farming and food security was “unwavering” and it had allocated £11.8bn for sustainable farming and food production over the course of the current parliament.

Mr Zeichner said: “The findings today show the strong momentum behind nature-friendly farming, backed by the high level of uptake in the latest round of capital grants.

“Environmental Land Management schemes are the best tools to support the sector’s transition to sustainable food production and profitability.”

However, the NFU asserted that confidence among British farmers was at “rock bottom” and that these latest Defra findings reinforced that.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said: “We’ve faced relentless extreme weather, soaring production costs, poor returns and uncertainty around the future of farm support, not to mention the looming threat of inheritance tax.”

Defra vision

The opinion tracker revealed that just 56% of respondents either roughly or fully understood Defra’s vision for farming, down from 64% this time last year.

Mr Bradshaw added: “It’s deeply concerning that just shy of half of farmers don’t understand Defra’s vision, and even more lack confidence that current policy changes will deliver a successful future.

“Recent sudden closures to SFI and news of schemes reaching capacity have compounded this view.

“Farmers need clarity, consistency and a supportive regulatory framework from government to rebuild the trust that’s now desperately needed if they’re to invest in their businesses, produce food for the nation and care for the environment.”

Defra’s biannual farmer opinion tracker will be published on an annual basis moving forward with the next issue due to be released in July 2026.