NFU calls for review into energy support for farm businesses

NFU President Minette Batters expressed her disappointment over the lack of support for primary food production sectors
NFU President Minette Batters expressed her disappointment over the lack of support for primary food production sectors

The government has announced that the new Energy Bills Discount Scheme (EBDS) will replace current energy support for businesses, with the NFU saying it would leave farmers in a vulnerable position with many sectors left out of additional support.

The new support will take over from the current Energy Bill Relief Scheme (EBRS) which is due to end in March 2023.

Under the EDBS, there is no longer a price cap, with businesses instead receiving a discount if their contract energy price is above a certain threshold price.

The new scheme offers markedly less protection from volatile energy markets and does little to create certainty for businesses.

A pre-defined selection of industries, including botanical gardens, are eligible for additional support under the ETII (Energy and Trade Intensive Industries) scheme.

However, some of farming's most energy dependent sectors, in particular horticulture and poultry, have not been included in this.

Responding to the announcement on the EBDS, NFU President Minette Batters expressed her disappointment over the lack of support for primary food production sectors.

She said: “Especially given the vulnerability of protected horticulture and poultry production – two sectors that are energy and trade intensive”.

“The government must recognise that its current approach seriously undermines our ability to produce food.

“The omission of horticulture is particularly frustrating. What is the justification for botanical gardens to be included in the scheme, but not food grown in glasshouses?”

Mrs Batters highlighted how the NFU has repeatedly made the case that energy prices are threatening next year’s crop of tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers.

She pointed out how the changes to support seem at odds with the government’s ambitions to grow more fruit and vegetables, according to its National Food Strategy.

“While we accept that farming businesses can’t be insulated from long term market realities the government must recognise that its current approach seriously undermines our ability to produce food,” the NFU president said.

“We are asking for a review of the scheme so that if and when energy prices do rise, there can be changes made to support essential food producing sectors.”