Supermarkets could be hit with shortages of British beef and lamb as farmers face falling subsidy payments and rising costs.
Farmers have been lowering their livestock numbers, which could also lead to a decline of high-quality meat, The Telegraph reported.
According to the National Farmers Union (NFU), upland farmers will lose 37% of support payments on average, as green schemes are being prioritised over basic subsidies.
Since Brexit, the UK has been launching green schemes that allow farmers to receive cash for improving the environmental impact of their practices.
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Earlier this year, farming minister Mark Spencer announced changes to the environmental land management scheme (ELMs), including a Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) ‘Management Payment’, which could consist of up to an additional £1,000 per year, covering up to 50 hectares of land entered into the scheme.
New and existing Countryside Stewardship agreement holders would also see an average increase of 10% to their revenue payment rates.
At the time, NFU vice president David Exwood said the changes were welcome, however “risks being too little too late, especially given the current economic challenges we are experiencing and the rapid erosion of direct payments”.
Industry figures have also said that these subsidies do not consider hill farmers and as a result, many will lose out on payments.
Currently, farmers with fields that grow crops are eligible for payments for sowing land with birdseed or creating hedgerows, however those in hilly areas cannot carry out the same practices and upland farmers land is not appropriate for growing fresh produce or crops.
Further changes to the scheme, which includes new funding measures, were said to be announced this year however have since been delayed.
