Smallholder farmers supplying the UK are experiencing unprecedented challenges as the ongoing conflict in Iran exacerbates the impact of climate change on agriculture. With the UK government failing to deliver promised supply chain oversight regulations, millions of farmers worldwide are left vulnerable to the shifting dynamics of global trade and environmental instability.
A Call for Action Amidst Inaction
The UK government has come under fire for its inaction regarding new supply chain regulations that were expected to be announced earlier this year. Campaigners argue that the absence of these regulations leaves smallholder farmers at the mercy of global crises, including the Iran war that has disrupted essential supply chains, particularly in energy and fertiliser.
Sophia Ostler, senior policy manager at the Fairtrade Foundation, expressed her frustration: “Having promised they would share their views on it in March, the Government currently seems to be missing in action when it comes to pushing through this vital piece of legislation.” The proposed human rights and environmental due diligence (HREDD) law would require companies to assess and address human rights and environmental issues in their supply chains.
The urgency of such legislation is underscored by the dual crises facing farmers today. The Iran conflict has escalated energy prices and disrupted agricultural inputs, while climate change continues to threaten crop yields across the globe.
The Economic Squeeze on Farmers
Farmers from regions such as Kenya and Côte D’Ivoire are feeling the pinch. Reports indicate that the cost of a 50kg bag of fertiliser has soared from 3,500 Kenyan Shillings (£20) to 6,500 (£37) since the onset of the conflict. In Côte D’Ivoire, more than 70 per cent of farmers from a cooperative are struggling to access the necessary inputs for the upcoming planting season.
Silvia Herrera, a coffee farmer from Mexico, highlights the struggles faced by producers: “Our cost of transport is up 50 per cent since the War began… We are not currently covering the cost of production, and we are paying to produce coffee.” Herrera’s cooperative has suffered from changing rainfall patterns, resulting in failed harvests and increased production costs due to climate-related disruptions.
The intertwined effects of the Iran war and climate change have created a perfect storm for farmers, who are increasingly unable to meet their production costs amidst rising prices for essential inputs.
The Urgency for Legislative Reform
Martin Rhodes, Labour MP for Glasgow North, has voiced the need for reform in supply chain laws to enable the UK to positively influence global development amidst cuts to aid. “With reductions in official development assistance by the UK and globally, and the ongoing climate emergency, we should be viewing ethical trade… as a cost-effective way to put our principles into practice,” he stated.
Campaigners insist that the proposed HREDD law could help level the playing field, ensuring that businesses that adhere to ethical practices are not undercut by those that exploit workers and the environment. Ostler further emphasised the importance of such legislation: “It could mean that a living wage for farmers is the norm rather than an exception.”
Challenges in Accessing Climate Finance
Despite the UK’s commitments to climate finance, farmers like Herrera report significant barriers to accessing funds intended to help them adapt to the climate crisis. She explained, “It is hard for anyone in our countries to reach that financing, but it is even harder for women, young people, and indigenous people.”
While some funds have been made available by foreign governments, the process for securing these funds remains complex and insufficient to meet the pressing needs of farmers. The reliance on Fairtrade premiums is one source of support, yet it is not enough to address the widespread challenges posed by climate change and geopolitical turmoil.
Why it Matters
The plight of smallholder farmers in the face of the Iran conflict and climate change highlights the urgent need for the UK government to act decisively on supply chain regulations. With millions relying on agriculture for their livelihoods, the failure to implement robust oversight not only jeopardises their economic stability but also undermines the UK’s commitments to ethical trade and global responsibility. Without immediate action, the consequences for farmers and the broader community could be devastating, as they find themselves caught in a web of rising costs and diminishing returns in an increasingly fraught global landscape.
