FARMERS are calling for the Government to invest at least £3 billion to ensure food security and a sustainable farming future.

Martin Hole from Montague Farm at Pevensey, sits on the Steering Group of the Nature Friendly Farming Network.

He is calling for a radical change in farming policy.

Mr Hole said: “Delivering healthy food, high animal welfare, working wildlife habitats, clean water and enriched soil in a landscape enjoyable for local communities takes investment, commitment and sacrifice.

“It has to be a very long-term process.

“The cost of sustaining a richer landscape cannot be met by profit from food production alone so Government and public support is essential.”

There are less than two weeks left to respond to the Government’s consultation on the future for food, farming and the environment post-Brexit.

A new survey of UK farmers has revealed overwhelming support for a radical overhaul of agricultural policy.

Many are concerned that the Government will fail to deliver on its promised reform.

The survey reveals:

• nine out of ten farmers believe that now is the moment for radical change in agricultural policy to ensure sustainable and profitable food production in the UK, whilst caring for the environment.

• almost half are pessimistic and don’t feel confident that the Government will deliver the farming policy required to create positive environmental change.

• some 96 per cent of respondents want high environmental standards to be a key requirement of future trade deals to combat the threat of cheap imports.

• eight out of ten believe that the governments in each of the UK countries should co-operate to put the environment at the centre of future farming policy, through a common framework.

• some 93 per cent say that it is crucial to maintain at least the current level of investment, refocused to deliver better value for money, to ensure a thriving sustainable agriculture sector in the UK.

Martin Lines, chairman of the NFFN, said: “For many of us farming is not just a job, it is a passion, and we have a duty of care to protect the landscape for future generations.

“Our members are issuing a clear call to action to government: act now to deliver radical change in agricultural policy.

““We cannot miss this significant opportunity to transform British agriculture in order to help farms evolve and thrive, whilst restoring and protecting our natural heritage.”