Smaller farms to be prioritised for nature funding
England is set to reshape its post-EU nature subsidies to favour smaller farms, a move that aims to boost biodiversity and rural resilience across the countryside. Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds is expected to unveil the policy shift at the Oxford Farming Conference, arguing that targeted support will help smaller holdings deliver measurable environmental benefits while maintaining viable farm incomes.
The policy shift and its aims
The government’s plan, due to be outlined in June in conjunction with the start of a new application window, places emphasis on scale and impact. By prioritising smaller farms, ministers hope to channel resources toward land stewards who are most closely tied to local ecosystems and who can demonstrate concrete biodiversity outcomes. The approach aligns with broader environmental goals, including improving soil health, boosting pollinator habitats, and reducing water run-off and chemical use in sensitive landscapes.
Officials stress that the changes do not negate support for larger farms but seek to rebalance funding toward those with the most to gain from nature-based interventions. The policy is also intended to create a more accessible pathway for applicants who may have previously found the funding process complex or skewed toward bigger landholdings.
What counts as a “smaller” farm in England?
Definitions in the policy design emphasise farm size in conjunction with environmental impact. A farm’s classification will take into account total arable and livestock acreage, market income, and the demonstrable risk and opportunity related to biodiversity outcomes. The government is expected to publish clear criteria in the application guidelines, ensuring that smaller producers can participate without being excluded by overly stringent eligibility rules.
Support mechanisms and expected outcomes
Funding will focus on nature-friendly practices that yield tangible ecological benefits. Expected schemes include:
- Agroforestry and hedgerow restoration that create wildlife corridors
- Soil health and organic matter enhancement programs
- Pollinator habitat creation and maintenance
- Water quality improvements through buffer strips and reduced pesticide usage
To ensure accountability, the government will require reporting on biodiversity indicators and farm-level environmental performance. The emphasis on smaller farms is intended to deliver a higher return on investment for nature restoration, with the added benefit of strengthening rural economies through more resilient farming communities.
How this fits with post-Brexit funding reforms
The shake-up comes as the post-EU funding framework transitions toward national schemes that can be tailored to local conditions. By guiding subsidies through a more granular and equity-focused lens, ministers aim to reduce geographic disparities in environmental investment and to empower farmers who are often closest to the land and its ecological rhythms. The Oxford Farming Conference serves as a platform to test ideas and gather feedback from practitioners, researchers, and industry bodies ahead of formal policy rollout.
Industry reaction and next steps
Farm groups have welcomed the focus on smaller farms while urging caution to ensure the scheme remains financially viable for these producers. Critics argue that clarity and simplicity in application processes will be crucial to avoid deterring potential applicants. Ministers are expected to publish detailed guidelines in the coming weeks, followed by an application window in June. Local agronomists and conservationists hope the changes will accelerate biodiversity gains without compromising food production and farm livelihoods.
Bottom line
The promised reorientation of nature subsidies toward smaller English farms marks a significant shift in how environmental public money is allocated. If implemented effectively, the policy could mean richer biodiversity, healthier soils, and stronger rural economies, built on a model in which small farms play a leading role in England’s nature-positive farming future.
