Government cancels farming scheme and cuts spending on British food campaigns
2nd December 2024
The farming community has expressed its disappointment following news that the British government is cutting spending on campaigns promoting British food and drink producers abroad as well as cancels a scheme aimed boosting take-up of farming grants.
According to The Times, the government has dismissed over 40 major advertising campaigns as part of a marketing crackdown aiming to save £132 million.
Spending on advertising campaigns that promote British food and drink producers to foreign customers is to be reduced by £347,000, which marks a 25% decline.
What is more, the Farming for the Future scheme, worth £450,000 per year, which aims at helping landowners boost take-up of grants and schemes, has been totally removed.
Victoria Vyvyan, president of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), commented on the news: “The government promised to be the party of the countryside. Instead, it’s dismantling the economy that sustains it.
“Vital schemes for sustainable farming and agricultural exports are being slashed, while inheritance tax raids threaten to take what little profit remains.
“The government isn’t saving money, it’s throwing it away. British food can boost our balance of payments, and rural communities could add £40 billion to the economy. But they need a government that matches their ambition, not one that cuts it down.”
‘We make no apologies’
Farmers Guide has approached the government for a comment. Its spokesperson said that the government “makes no apologies for challenging the value for money of every pound we spend on behalf of taxpayers”.
They added: “We reviewed the hundreds of millions spent each year on government communications and marketing campaigns, identifying £85 million in immediate savings.”
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