WILTSHIRE farmer – and former NFU president – Baroness Minette Batters is to lead a new government review of farm profitability.

Baroness Batters has been handed the role by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed (Lab, Streatham & Croydon North).

The brief will see her provide recommendations on farm profitability both to Mr Reed and the Farming Minister after a six-month review, which she began on April 7.

It will see Baroness Batters meet with farmers and growers across all land areas and sectors, as well as engaging with other government departments whose work impacts farmers.

She said: “I will leave no stone unturned in trying to find solutions to boost farm profitability. But we should be under no illusions how difficult this work will be.

“There will not be one ‘silver bullet’ to fire but I’m hopeful this review can make a difference to a sector that produces the nation’s food, underpins the rural economy and delivers so much for the environment.

“I’m pleased to be appointed to lead this review and look forward to working with farmers and growers to provide recommendations to government, food retailers, processors and manufacturers.”

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She will provide short, medium and long term recommendations and propose actions for government and industry that will support farming profitability as part of the government’s New Deal for Farmers, supported by the new Profitability Unit within Defra.

Baroness Batters’ review will also help the development of the food strategy, farming roadmap and the Land Use Framework.

Her aim is to help ensure our farming sector is more viable, self-sustaining and competitive in the long-term, said Mr Reed.

“Backing British farmers is the backbone of all work to support rural economic growth and boost Britain’s food security,” he went on.

“We have taken strong action to protect the future of the sector with the New Deal for Farmers. But we must go further and faster as part of our Plan for Change to put money into the pockets of farmers and drive growth.

“That is why I am delighted to appoint Baroness Batters, and her years of experience as a leader during a time of great change in British agriculture make her uniquely placed to provide recommendations on tackling the deep-rooted problems holding the sector back and support farmers’ long-term profits.”

The review comes as the government faces criticism from some bodies over changes to farming – including to inheritance tax.

Baroness Batters became the first woman president of NFU in 2018, and served in the role until last year.

She was appointed as a crossbench member of the House of Lords in 2024 and was made a Deputy Lieutenant to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth in 2021.

She was brought up on – and now runs – a tenanted family farm in Wiltshire, a mixed business including a 100-cow continental cross suckler herd, as well as sheep and arable.

Diversification on the farm includes the conversion of a 17th Century barn into a wedding and events venue, and horse liveries.