NFU calls for ‘long-term support’ for British beef producers

19 May 2026
David Barton in a cattle shed

Photograph: © Simon Hadley

NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton has written an open letter painting a picture of the current challenges facing the British beef sector, calling on processors and retailers to support British beef producers.

With GB deadweight cattle prices falling away in recent months and price volatility becoming the new normal for beef producers, NFU Livestock Board Chair David Barton’s open letter calls on the supply chain to back the British beef sector.

David summarises the diverse challenges facing producers – from processing delays to fuel and fertiliser price rises – that are diminishing farmer confidence across the sector.

He calls on producers and processors “to show producers long-term support”, stressing the need for both greater transparency and stability.

Highlighting the disproportionate level of risk carried by producers, David writes: “We want processors and customers of British beef to show the same commitment to grow the sector.”

Read the letter in full:

Dear all,

I am calling on your continued support for the British beef sector which is facing a critical period. Farmgate returns continue to reduce while we’re seeing increased costs for key inputs such as fuel and fertiliser, exacerbated by the conflict in the Middle East. 

This sector is a significant pillar of the UK agricultural economy, worth £4.1 billion in 2024, representing 13% of total agricultural output.

Yet, despite historically firm headline values, producers are experiencing severe price volatility and delays to book in cattle for processing which is increasing our feed and housing costs, as well as our carbon footprint. Livestock numbers are in worrying decline with a further 3.1% contraction in the GB suckler herd last year, confidence across the sector remains low, with many producers considering their options in the short and medium term.

To ensure a resilient, home-grown beef supply, the NFU is calling on the supply chain to show long-term support. We need a fair, transparent agri-food supply chain. Livestock farmers must fully understand carcass values to confidently invest back into their operations.

Short-lived price spikes followed by sharp corrections do not give security. Rebuilding breeding herds is a multi-year journey that requires certainty. If farmers do not have the confidence to invest in their herds in this way, then we could see a continued decline in livestock numbers.

In short, we believe British beef producers carry the greatest risk as they make long-term financial decisions without a guarantee of a price they will receive for their product. 

True stability means backing British farming during shifting market cycles. Therefore, we want processors and customers of British beef to show the same commitment to grow the sector. 

We know the British public wants more home-grown produce in their baskets – in the last NFU farmer favourability survey, 89% of respondents said British farms should grow as much food as possible to support national food security and the public really values British grass-fed beef.

We have a world-class, sustainable product. By embedding transparency into the wider supply chain, we can stop the decline in cattle numbers and secure a prosperous future for the entire British beef industry.

Yours sincerely,

David Barton
NFU Livestock Board Chair

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