NEW analysis reveals that hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland in England are being temporarily repurposed for environmentally friendly projects, driven by new farming subsidies.

Government data analysis indicates that over half a million acres, representing about 2% of all agricultural land in Britain, will be redirected from traditional production. This shift is projected to result in a 3% decrease in crop production, according to consultancy Strutt and Parker as reported in the Telegraph newspaper.

England’s Sustainable Farming Initiative (SFI) offers subsidies to farmers for enhancing wildlife habitats, which often involves setting aside portions of their land.

Initially, some farmers withdrew up to 80 per cent of their land from production, prompting the government to cap the eligible land at 25 per cent per farm. Currently, only 40 per cent of farmers participate in the SFI scheme, but full enrolment could see up to 5 per cent of farmland taken out of production, noted Jason Beedell, Strutt and Parker’s head of rural research. However, Beedell highlighted that these lands could quickly revert to arable or grassland use if needed.

Jonathan Armitage, head of farming at Strutt and Parker, acknowledged potential industry concerns over reduced production, especially in light of this year’s challenging weather conditions, which have led to the smallest cereal and oilseed rape areas in Britain in two decades. Nonetheless, Armitage deemed this reduction a ‘necessary trade-off’ for environmental recovery, citing significant declines in wildlife habitats and soil health.