"Are Farm Subsidies Doing More Harm Than Good?" Borderway Agri Expo Big Debate Set to Spark Controversy

In an era of rising costs, food security concerns, and environmental pressures, the 2025 Borderway Agri Expo Big Debate will tackle whether subsidies are truly supporting farmers or holding them back.

In these challenging times for the UK's agricultural sector, the issue of farm subsidies is a significant concern for every stakeholder in the industry. At this year's premier winter livestock event, Borderway Agri Expo, Leading voices in politics and farming will debate whether government support is saving or stifling British agriculture.

Hosted by H&H Land & Estates, the debate will propose the motion:

"This house believes that farm subsidies do more harm than good – A Debate on the Future of Agricultural Support."

Speaking in support of the motion will be Northumbrian farmer Pip Robson, while Tim Farron MP, Liberal Democrat DEFRA Spokesman, will contest it. The debate will be chaired by Adam Day, Managing Director of The Farmer Network.

Organised by Harrison & Hetherington, Borderway Agri Expo will take place on Friday 31^st October 2025 at Borderway Mart, Carlisle, with the Big Debate scheduled between 10.30am and 11.45am.

Tim Farron MP, Liberal Democrat Member for Westmorland and Lonsdale since 2005, has been a strong and positive voice for farming in Westminster for the past 20 years and is currently Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Environment and Rural Affairs.

Pip Robson farms in Northumberland on land his family has tenanted from the Duke of Northumberland since 1775. Today, he runs an 800-acre mixed arable and livestock enterprise, including pedigree Aberdeen Angus, commercial sucklers, and store lambs. He believes passionately that current farm subsidies are having the opposite effect to their original purpose:

"Subsidies were first introduced after World War II to reduce the cost of food production and food prices to the consumer, and to boost food security. Today they are doing none of those things. They are doing more harm than good because they've created another tier of specialist advisors in the industry, which has increased rents and costs. Food price inflation has gone through the roof and food security is at an all-time low. Of course, farming has to take responsibility for the care of the environment, but if we're going to have government support for agriculture, I would like it to be for productivity."

Chairing the debate, Adam Day expects a packed audience and lively argument over one of the most pressing issues facing farming today: "I am looking forward to a fascinating exchange of views between two excellent debaters. Having grown up in a hill-farming community in the northern Lakes and then worked as a Land Agent for most of my career, I understand the benefits that farming brings to this region in food production, environmental care and the local economy. Now I'm working full time with the Farmer Network I see at first hand the rise in farmers and their families needing support to survive in these challenging times, and I believe this debate will shine a spotlight on the very serious issue of farm viability in northern England."

As well as being a leading livestock showcase, Borderway Agri Expo has become a platform for the sharing of ideas, innovation and best practice in farming, and once again it is expected to draw thousands of visitors and nearly 1,000 of the UK's best beef cattle and sheep from across the UK.

Giving background H&H Land & Estates Director, Mark Barrow, added:

"As specialist advisors ourselves, we have been working with hundreds of farmers and landowners all over the North of England to help maximise the economic benefits available from government support schemes. So we know just how crucial this issue is to the future of so many family farming businesses and to the industry as a whole. We believe that this debate will provide an opportunity to hear expert analysis from both sides of the argument."

For all the latest updates, visit www.borderwayagriexpo.uk and follow Borderway Agri Expo on Facebook and Instagram.