HCR Law releases agriculture report on the future of British food security

HCR Law has published a new agriculture report exploring the future of Britain’s food security and the reforms needed to support a resilient farming sector. 

Total income from farming has risen significantly since 2020, but national figures mask instability at farm level. Many farms remain loss-making on food production alone, relying increasingly on diversification, agri-environment schemes and other income streams to stay viable. 

Working closely with farming clients across the UK, we see first-hand the challenges they face. Our report, “Food for Thought: shaping sustainable farming futures”, examines those issues and asks important questions about the long-term sustainability of British food production.  

It explores how policy uncertainty, structural barriers and economic pressures continue to undermine the UK’s ability to produce its own food – and what must change to secure a productive future for British farming. 

Drawing on expert insights from HCR Law alongside sector associations, unions, farmers and business owners, the report includes commentary on: 

• Food security and farm viability 

• How policy uncertainty has impacted farmer confidence 

• Planning and regulation as major constraints on farm growth 

• Labour shortages and skills gaps 

• How supply chain contracts place disproportionate risk on farmers 

• The role of agri-tech in supporting food production. 

Rory Hutchings, Partner and Head of HCR’s Agriculture and Estates team, said: “We work with clients across the agriculture sector and see the pressures they are under. The future of UK farming relies on government recognising the sector’s essential contribution to food security and economic growth.

“This report calls for British farming to be treated as a strategic national asset, supported by more stable policy and practical reform for sustainable food production in the UK. We need to remove the barriers that currently hold the sector back to create a stronger and more resilient agricultural industry.” 

The report is available to download from HCR Law.

 Thank you to our contributors: 

• Abi Reader, President, NFU Cymru 

• Cath Crowther, Regional Director (East), Country Land and Business Association 

• Aled Jones, Chief Executive, Royal Welsh Agricultural Society 

• Gareth Davies, Legal Director, Planning, Highways and Environment, HCR Law 

• Johnny Wake, Farmer, Courteenhall Farms, Northamptonshire 

• Aled Owen, Partner, Agriculture, Environment and Regulatory, HCR Law 

• Lynne Adams, Legal Director, Employment and Immigration, HCR Law 

• Stephen Jacob, Chief Executive, Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture 

• Steve Thomas, Partner, Commercial, HCR Law 

• Rory Christie, Chair, Milk Suppliers Association (MSA); Scottish Agricultural Organisation Society (SAOS); Association of Dairy Producer Organisations (ADPO) 

• Jonty Hay, Poultry and beef farmer, Hay Farms; NFU Poultry Board; Red Tractor Poultry Board 

• Dr Sofia Hirscher, Technical Marketing and Communications Manager, UK Agri‑Tech Centre.