Budget cuts undermine UK’s global influence on agriculture, report finds

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. While our review found many examples of good practice, there is more to be done to improve coherence of the overall aid package and ensure climate change and nature are at the heart of the UK’s support to the agriculture sector ICAI chief commissioner Dr Tamsyn Barton Cuts to official development assistance have removed or downscaled several elements of these schemes, which include key projects like watershed rehabilitation and crop diversification, it found. “However, with funding reduced, the UK has been drawing on this reputation, and there is a significant risk that its influence will degrade rapidly in the near future.” ICAI chief commissioner Dr Tamsyn Barton, who led the review, said: “Developing countries are on the front line of the climate crisis so it’s vital that our aid programmes acknowledge this. The ICAI’s report shows the UK Government aid approach in agriculture is not only failing to tackle climate change, but is actively contributing to its causes Graham Gordon, Cafod “While our review found many examples of good practice, there is more to be done to improve coherence of the overall aid package and ensure climate change and nature are at the heart of the UK’s support to the agriculture sector.” Cafod, the official aid agency for the Catholic Church of England and Wales, accused the Government of “pumping money into large-scale agribusiness” instead of focusing on help for smallholder farmers and local economies. Graham Gordon, Cafod’s head of public policy said: “The ICAI’s report shows the UK Government aid approach in agriculture is not only failing to tackle climate change, but is actively contributing to its causes.