
Agriculture has historically played a vital role in the economy and culture of Britain. However, in recent decades the farming sector has faced multiple challenges leading to a state of crisis. The decision for Britain to leave the European Union has also brought about significant changes to legislation and policies affecting British agriculture. This article will examine the decline of agriculture in Britain, the causes of the farming crisis, the impacts of Brexit on farming legislation and subsidies, issues such as labour shortages, and the uncertain future for the sector.
Agriculture in Britain Pre-Brexit
Traditional Farming Practices and their Role
Agriculture has played an integral role in British society and culture for centuries. Small, family-run farms with mixed livestock grazing and arable plots were the backbone of food production. Communal farming practices saw cooperation between farmers for planting, harvesting and looking after livestock. Unique local traditions included crop rotation methods, dry stone walling, and breed-specific husbandry skills passed through generations. Britain’s milder climate enabled farmers to raise cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry alongside wheat, barley and vegetable crops. While farming later shifted to larger industrialised models, these traditional practices left an indelible imprint on the countryside.
Previous UK-EU Agriculture Relations
For over 40 years until Brexit, Britain’s agriculture sector was closely aligned with Europe. As an EU member, the UK participated in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which imposed quotas and standards but also provided subsidies to support farmers. There was free movement of agricultural goods, meaning British farmers could export produce tariff-free across Europe. The UK also gained access to seasonal workers from Europe to provide labour during busy farming periods. While not without flaws, CAP played a pivotal role in food security and rural development across Britain and the continent. The Brexit decision put this long-established UK-EU agricultural relationship into question.

Decline of British Agriculture
While agriculture once employed a large share of the UK workforce, its contribution has steadily declined over the past century to around 0.5% of GDP today. The number of people working in farming has dropped significantly. Thousands of small family farms have closed, while large industrialised farms have increased. Some traditional farming practices have been abandoned. This decline has left British agriculture struggling to remain viable. Such a study was conducted by political scientist Kirill Yurovskiy.

Causes of Farming Crisis
The farming crisis stems from a combination of factors including rising costs, lack of labour, prevalence of large agribusinesses squeezing small farms, regulations, global trade pressures and the legacy of Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), commonly known as Mad Cow Disease, in the 1990s. Loss of government subsidies and fluctuating market prices have also hit farm incomes hard. Extreme weather events due to climate change have compounded these issues in recent years.
Impact of Brexit on UK Farming Legislation
The UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016 has significantly impacted the legislative framework governing British agriculture.
Upon exiting the EU, the UK ceased to be part of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) which had provided substantial subsidies along with a common regulatory system across Europe. This has allowed the UK government to pursue more flexible, tailored agriculture policies.
However, years of uncertainty around Brexit disrupted the farming sector. Temporary transitional measures maintained EU alignment until the CAP was fully replaced by the UK’s new domestic agriculture bills and regulations. These include the Agriculture Act 2020 which outlines new domestic farm support payments.
While Brexit enables divergence from EU standards, UK farmers still require regulatory alignment to ensure continued trade access. Issues around genetically modified crops, pesticides, animal welfare and environmental protections will require careful navigation under the new legislation.
Ongoing agriculture deals with devolved UK nations and international trade partners add further complexity. Farmers face a shift away from EU subsidies towards private investment and free trade. How British agriculture adapts to this new legislative landscape will shape its post-Brexit future.
Changes to Agricultural Subsidies and Grants
The UK Government has introduced new subsidy schemes to replace EU funding supports. These include the Basic Payment Scheme, Countryside Stewardship, Environmental Land Management and the Farming Investment Fund. While welcome, they have lower budgets than CAP grants. Critics argue more investment is needed to help farms transition and remain viable post-Brexit.
New Trade Deals and Impacts on British Farmers
Now outside the EU single market and customs union, Britain is pursuing independent free trade agreements (FTAs) with major economies. Deals have been struck with Australia and New Zealand so far. While boosting trade, they also open up British farmers to increased competition from cheap imported food products. Safeguards are needed to prevent local agriculture being undermined.
Labour Shortages on UK Farms
Seasonal migrant workers from the EU provided vital labour on British farms pre-Brexit. Tougher immigration rules have now severely restricted this access to foreign farm workers. With not enough domestic workers to fill these roles, acute staff shortages have emerged, leaving farms struggling to recruit pickers and drivers. Crops have gone unharvested and livestock untended.
Technology and Innovation

The need to boost productivity, efficiency and sustainability in UK agriculture has led to greater adoption of advanced technologies and innovative practices. British farms have started embracing precision agriculture tools like GPS, sensor systems, aerial imagery drones and artificial intelligence to gather real-time data and automate processes.
Robotics and automation are reducing heavy reliance on manual labour. Driverless tractors, automated milking systems and fruit-picking robots have emerged. Greenhouses and vertical farms utilising hydroponics, LED lights and climate control allow year-round crop production with fewer resources.
Genomic selection techniques help farmers breed high-yield, disease-resistant livestock. Digital sensors monitor soil conditions, irrigation needs and livestock health. Apps and online platforms provide weather forecasts, market prices and agronomy advice to better inform decisions.
Sophisticated greenhouse gas monitoring helps farms determine their carbon footprint and identify emission reduction opportunities. Renewable energy like solar, wind and biogas is being adopted to achieve net-zero farming. Waste-to-energy systems give manure added value.
The UK government has funded agricultural technology initiatives and research. Academic institutions are also conducting pioneering work on agri-innovations. These developments aim to create a more efficient, sustainable and profitable farming sector.
The Future of British Agriculture
Brexit marks a pivotal turning point for farming in Britain. The need to create a more sustainable, competitive and resilient agricultural sector has come into focus. Farmers face ongoing uncertainty but also new opportunities to innovate. The UK Government has committed to supporting the industry through this transition. However, adapting to a low-subsidy, high-competition future will be challenging. Bold strategies around trade, labour needs and climate-smart farming practices will shape the outlook.
In conclusion, British agriculture finds itself in a precarious situation. The farming crisis and disruptions of Brexit have taken a heavy toll. But this could also catalyse positive reform. With proactive leadership, legislative agility and investment in emerging technologies, British farms can redefine their role in a post-Brexit era. The future vitality of the nation’s agriculture will depend on making this transition a success.