Lancashire Branch Chair's Report - 2026

The Chair's Report will be formally tabled at this year's Lancashire Branch AGM which will be held on13 October, 10am to 4pm, Patty's Barn, Hillam Lane, LA2 0DY. See details and register here >

The rural economy in the North remains in a state of transition, with significant updates across environmental schemes, tax legislation, Renters' Rights, and planning frameworks that require careful consideration for future business planning. However, unleashing its potential requires government policies designed to support rather than hinder growth. As land managers face shifting agricultural schemes, extreme weather, and geopolitical pressures, targeted policy action is vital for long-term stability.

SFI and Future Farming Support The Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) remains a world-leading approach to Environmental Land Management, but long-term success requires budget consistency so businesses can plan ahead. The SFI 2026 reset brings crucial streamlining, reducing actions from 102 to 71 alongside three-year agreement durations, and a new £100,000 annual agreement cap aims to distribute funding more equitably. Because funding is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, land managers must take a proactive approach rather than assuming funding will always be available.

What We Need in the Forthcoming Autumn Budget (28 October) Ahead of the Autumn Budget on 28 October, government must deliver a clear "rural reset". Key priorities include:

• Tax Reform: While the pre-Christmas concession raising the 100% APR/BPR relief threshold to £2.5m per individual (£5m for couples) was a welcome step, full reversal of damaging Inheritance Tax changes remains vital to safeguard family businesses.
• Input Costs: Delaying the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for synthetic fertilisers until prices normalize to pre-Middle East conflict levels to prevent further margin squeezes.
• Infrastructure & Planning: Streamlining the planning system to secure a "default yes" for diversification and modern farm infrastructure, while bridging the digital divide where only 45% of rural areas have gigabit broadband access.

Weather, Drought, and Water Security Extreme weather poses severe financial and operational risks to land managers. Flooding costs farmers an average of £480 per hectare, while warm weather and summer droughts severely compromise water security. Land managers are ready to build resilience but need the planning system to make constructing small farm reservoirs and water-storage facilities far easier. On-farm reservoirs directly improve water security, reduce agricultural vulnerability to severe drought, and support reliable food production.

Wildfires and Land Management Warm, dry conditions increase the risk of destructive wildfires. Wildfires are often avoidable tragedies. Land managers must be empowered to reduce fuel loads through proactive vegetation management, including grazing, mowing, creating firebreaks, and carefully controlled burning. Simplifying overly complex licensing requirements for controlled burning will allow experts on the ground to take necessary preventative action.

Upland Farming Issues Upland farmers face distinct economic and environmental challenges. Targeted lobbying has successfully secured significantly increased payment rates for several upland and moorland actions within environmental schemes. Sustained financial recognition for the unique role upland managers play in natural capital and landscape management remains essential.

Finally, I would like to thank all of those who have supported me in my term of office—it has been a privilege.

September 2026

Lisa Duckworth