NFU warns tariff cuts send 'worrying signal' for British farming

Government plans to suspend tariffs on a range of imported food products have triggered fresh concern from farming leaders, who warn the move risks undermining British food production while doing little to reduce supermarket prices.

Tariffs on selected products including some fruits, pasta and tuna are expected to be suspended in the coming weeks, with the measures remaining in place until the end of 2028. A full list of affected products will be published before the changes come into force.

The policy forms part of wider efforts by ministers to ease pressure on household food bills as inflation and global instability continue to affect consumers and businesses.

Earlier this year, Chancellor Rachel Reeves told MPs she had asked officials to examine where “targeted reductions to agri-food tariffs can help bring down food prices”, while balancing the impact on domestic producers and food security.

But the NFU has questioned whether further tariff reductions will have any meaningful impact on consumer prices, noting that almost 90% of UK food imports already enter the country duty-free through existing trade agreements and preferential arrangements.

The union also pointed to analysis from the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggesting that even the complete abolition of all tariffs would reduce household food prices by only around 0.7% to 1.2% under optimistic assumptions.

NFU president Tom Bradshaw warned the government’s approach risked sending the wrong message to British farmers at a time when producers were already grappling with soaring fuel, fertiliser and transport costs linked to instability in the Middle East.

“We are not convinced that removing more tariffs will help curb food price inflation,” he said.

Bradshaw argued ministers should instead focus on strengthening domestic food production and improving resilience across UK supply chains.

“Rather than looking at further tariff reductions, this is the time for government to back British food and farming,” he said.

He warned the decision suggested ministers were looking overseas for solutions during periods of economic pressure rather than investing in long-term food security at home.

“Even though this announcement does not affect British farmers directly, the government’s decision to remove tariffs on a selection of imported grocery products sends a worrying signal – that at times of crisis, its instinct is to look overseas rather than to strengthen domestic food production and reduce exposure to global shocks,” he said.

The NFU said rising energy, fertiliser and transport costs were already placing heavy pressure on farmers and rural businesses, while consumers continued to face concerns over food affordability.

The union also raised concerns around food standards and fair competition, arguing tariffs help shield UK producers from cheaper imports produced under lower regulatory requirements.

While many products already enter the UK tariff-free, sectors including beef, lamb, pork, poultry, sugar and dairy are often treated as sensitive industries during trade negotiations.

The NFU has long called for statutory core production standards to ensure imported food meets the same requirements as products produced in the UK.

In the absence of those protections, the union warns removing tariff safeguards could expose British farmers to lower-cost imports that fail to meet domestic standards.

The organisation also argued currency fluctuations and wider global market pressures were likely to have a greater effect on food prices than tariff reductions alone.

Bradshaw urged ministers to focus instead on supporting farm resilience, reducing on-farm inflation and strengthening the UK food system against future global shocks.

The debate is expected to intensify as ministers face growing pressure to balance food affordability with long-term domestic food security and support for British farming.