Wildlife Trust: Nature-Friendly Farming Schemes in England Face a £2bn Funding Gap

The Wildlife Trust, a UK nature conservation organisation, has warned that both farming and nature in England could face a crisis because Environmental Land Management (ELM) schemes lack around £2 billion in funding. The warning came ahead of the UK Autumn budget, due on 28 October. ELM is a subsidy system that pays farmers for working in ways that also protect nature and improve the environment.

Economic analysis

The Wildlife Trust published an economic analysis on 27 October. It estimates that meeting England's environmental priorities requires at least £3.8 billion a year. That is more than double the £1.65 billion received over the past year. The organisation says the ELM budget has effectively been frozen for years, even though costs for farmers and food production are rising.

Of the £3.8 billion, £2 billion should go towards land-use changes driven by climate change. These include restoring peatlands, creating new wildlife habitats and planting new hedgerows and trees. The remaining £1.7 billion should be allocated to advice and the ongoing management of nature-friendly farming practices.

Climate impact on farmers

The organisation points to heatwaves, droughts and flooding as having a major impact on farming. According to its figures, billions were lost this year alone because of flooding, wildfires and soil loss. It says nature-based solutions, enabled by ELM funding, are more urgent than ever.

Vicki Hird, the Wildlife Trust's strategic lead for agriculture, said British farming faces a "cacophony" of crises. In her view, proper funding for farmer-led nature-based solutions can make farmland and crops more resilient to flooding and drought. Hird also said extreme weather is leaving the UK facing its most severe food security pressures in decades. She urged the chancellor to fund schemes that mitigate climate change, sustain farmers' livelihoods and lower food prices.