Defra officials buried analysis showing dire financial prospects for hill farmers

Exclusive: FOI request reveals fears many would sell up if they saw assessment of post-Brexit farming payments schemeGovernment officials have buried an analysis of the financial prospects for some of the most vulnerable farmers in the UK after realising it was almost entirely bad news, the Guardian can reveal.The analysis was to have been part of an optimistic look at the financial situation for upland farmers, some of the poorest in the country, but minutes from meetings about the plans obtained through a freedom of information request have revealed concerns were raised about the negative findings.One official commented: "Could end up with no pathways to success at the end. We only want to publish if we have something which is positive to tell people."Government officials admitted that upland farmers were falling into financial crisis and may go out of business.Officials feared that when upland farmers saw the data showing how much money they would make they would sell up.Officials believed upland farmers were dismissive of the environment. Continue reading...