Cross cutting themes from Brown&Co submission to the Government’s Farming Profitability Review

At a glance - 

•    Brown&Co’s paper, “The Great Agricultural Gamble - A review of the effect of Government policy on farm business strategy” (2025) by Chris Sheldon & Bradley Hurn, was submitted and cited as evidence in the Government’s Farming Profitability Review (FPR) led by Baroness Minette Batters. 
•    Our core messages are reflected in multiple FPR recommendations; most notably on policy certainty, linking support to active food production, market monitoring, investment finance, proportionate regulation, and farmer led delivery structures.

In summary, what Brown&Co said and what the FPR recommends - 

•    We warned that abrupt scheme changes (e.g., SFI caps/closure) damage confidence and cashflow
The FPR puts certainty first, acknowledges the March 2025 SFI closure, and proposes an interim scheme so farmers excluded can access support options. The review mentions confidence collapse via the Farmer Opinion Tracker.

•    Reward in production, stackable actions  (land sharing) & active farmers
The FPR  discusses “Active Farmer” principle and links SFI to food production with SOILSHOT+NATURE to pay for on farm outcomes.

•    Avoid budget exhaustion and improve transparency
The FPR suggests an enhanced market monitoring function across inputs, prices, and trade flows to inform budgets and decisions. 

•    Unlock capital for productivity & resilience
The FPR calls for 0% soft loans via the British Business Bank, wider access to productivity funding, and tax fixes including full expensing for sole traders/partnerships consideration. 
 
•    Make policy with farmers, not just for farmers
The FPR suggests feedback from the Great British FARM Advisory Board (GBFAB), regional Agri Growth Hubs, and a one door Sustainable FARM Service. 

•    Cut duplication, streamline regulation and planning
The FPR advocates moving to outcomes and risk based regulation, targets control costs, and proposes a National Planning for Food Infrastructure Blueprint.

“Our submission set out, with client-based evidence, how policy volatility and cashflow uncertainty are undermining profitability. It’s encouraging to see the Review suggesting practical solutions in line with the findings in our recent Paper. It is clear there is a need for Government to listen and act on Baroness Batters’ recommendations.”

Chris Sheldon, Partner, Brown&Co.

Our Paper The Great Agricultural Gamble – A review of the effect of Government policy on farm business strategy, can be found here

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