Since the referendum in 2016, Brexit has thrown the UK and beyond into political chaos. The uncertainty it has generated is felt particularly in agriculture and food, where funding, regulation and trade are all intrinsically linked with the EU at present. The questions that arise and the proposals for the future are being debated at length, from farmers and consumers, to policy makers and big business. On this page you can find more information about farming and Brexit, including viewpoints from those directly affected.
The devolved administrations
Agriculture is a devolved competence in the UK. While Westminster sets policy for England – Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland can develop their own. Each of these devolved administrations have different farming landscapes and economies, different problems and concerns, different priorities and proposed solutions. Britain has always been diverse and with strong devolved identities. Now, these are coming to the fore. But there are lots of similarities and common ground too, and Brexit, while potentially disastrous in many respects, is also affording the opportunity to put forward radically new ideas.

Northern Ireland agriculture after Brexit: Policy development in the absence of government
Dr Viviane Gravey takes a look at Northern Ireland and the future of agricultural policy post-Brexit
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Scottish agriculture: A challenging sector with an uncertain future
We take a look at the future of Scottish agriculture post-Brexit
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A revised future for Welsh agriculture?
As part of our exploration of Brexit and future agricultural policy, our Head of Policy Honor Eld...
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The upside of policy: When government listens
Alicia Miller and Nathan Richards give their personal perspective on the future of Welsh agricult...
Read moreWhat next for British agriculture: Farmers and food businesses reflect on Brexit
With Brexit dominating the headlines in the UK and generating huge debate in the food and farming industry, we want to find out how farmers and food businesses across the country are feeling about the future of UK agriculture. What threats and opportunities do they see? Has their perspective changed since 2016? What specific issues are their businesses facing, and what has the UK Government done to address those concerns? We’ve invited farmers and food businesses across the UK to share their thoughts.

Policy Report: Farmers and food businesses reflect on Brexit
As talk of transition, hard borders and ‘no-deal’ spreads, we wanted to find out how farmers and ...
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Arable farmer Peter Lundgren reflects on Brexit
Arable farmer Peter Lundgren shares his hopes for an Agriculture Bill post-Brexit that will rever...
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Cumbrian dairy farmer Robert Craig reflects on Brexit
In light of our recent session on 'Nitrogen Pollution' at the ORFC, and at the start of what will...
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Dairy and arable farmer Haydn Evans reflects on Brexit
Dairy and arable farmer Haydn Evans says post-Brexit he "would like to see more bespoke support s...
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Estate Manager at Waddesdon, Garth Clark, reflects on Brexit
Amidst a week of heightened political uncertainty, we speak to Garth Clark, Estate Manager at Wad...
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Farmdrop’s Ben Pugh reflects on Brexit
Amidst Brexit chaos, we speak to Ben Pugh, founder and CEO of Farmdrop, the “ethical grocery stor...
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Farmer Tim Budden of Higher Hacknell Organic Farm reflects on Brexit
With only a few months remaining before our scheduled departure from the European Union, we speak...
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Grower Nathan Richards reflects on Brexit
In the final of our Brexit series on farmer and food industry perspectives, Nathan Richards, orga...
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Grower Nick Mauro of ValeFresco reflects on Brexit
"I’m not confident at all that the UK Government will be sufficiently prepared to support the Bri...
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Upland farmers Andrew and Seonag Barbour reflect on Brexit
Farmer Andrew Barbour reflects on what effect Brexit might have on the uplands, where his farm is...
Read moreBrexit, subsidies and future UK agriculture policy

Sustainable Food Trust responds to the Queen’s Speech
We respond to the Queen's Speech opening parliament
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European referendum: Issues for agriculture
With opinions in the farming industry split on the EU referendum, what are the issues that affect...
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Farmerama radio: Brexit, soil tests and heritage seeds
In this month's edition of Farmerama, we hear some post-Brexit discussions with different farm fa...
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Farmerama radio: What good food means, a Green Brexit and much more
This month's Farmerama has a political focus but still manages to squeeze in some brilliant stori...
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Green jobs in a sustainable farming economy post-Brexit
Luke Dale-Harris explores why agricultural work in the UK is unappealing to British workers, and ...
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From food production to public goods: the winding road of farm subsidy reform
With farm subsidies set for an overhaul in agricultural policy after Brexit, the upcoming Agricul...
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How paying subsidies to farmers saves us money in the end
Megan Perry writes for Food Manifesto about the SFT's recent report on the Hidden Cost of UK Food...
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Is the United Kingdom on an unwise path towards adopting crop insurance?
In this excerpt from 'The Farm Bill: A Citizen’s Guide' by Dan Imhoff, SFT Head of Policy Honor E...
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Our fishing future: What Brexit and the snap general election could do to our seas
Sustainable Fish Cities Campaign Coordinator Ruth Westcott sets out an alarming picture of what’s...
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Sustainable Food Trust response to ‘Health and Harmony: The future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit’
The Sustainable Food Trust has submitted a response to Defra's command paper consultation, Health...
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Piecemeal Agriculture Bill risks business as usual outcome
The Sustainable Food Trust has welcomed key aspects of the Agriculture Bill but remains concerned...
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Welsh Cabinet Secretary Lesley Griffiths discusses Brexit and future agriculture policy during visit to Holden Farm Dairy
Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths visited Patrick ...
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Will Brexit and Trump’s wall change the face of farm labour?
Jessica Anson argues why the UK and US could be headed for crisis as crack-downs on immigration w...
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Young farmers, Brexit and future prospects
Young farmer and blogger, Ben Eagle, sets out to discover how young people involved in food and f...
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The uncertain future for food and farming in the UK
Following the referendum result, the SFT and 83 others organisations came together to express the...
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