Pressures are rising, but so is resilience.

Annual Tees Farming Survey 2025

Discover key insights from over 200 farmers in the East of England on succession, regulation and future farming resilience.

Understanding the pressures on farming today

Farmers across the East of England are facing a period of significant change. From the withdrawal of EU subsidies to reforms in inheritance tax and the tightening of environmental regulations, the challenges are both complex and far-reaching.

To better understand the realities on the ground, we launched the first Tees Annual Farming Survey, capturing the views of over 200 growers across eight counties. This report offers a snapshot of how the sector is adapting in 2025.

Insight shaped by real-world voices

The research was conducted by Kynetec, a specialist in agricultural market insights. Through direct interviews, we heard how farmers are responding to mounting pressures.

Many are proactively planning for succession, engaging in environmental stewardship, and looking beyond traditional income streams. Yet the findings also reveal deep frustrations: compliance is widely seen as a barrier, and confidence in the industry’s future is low.

Only 13% of respondents said they feel optimistic about the years ahead.

A call for practical, joined-up support

It’s clear that farmers want practical solutions, not added complexity. The survey revealed strong support for simplified regulation and more joined-up thinking between government and industry. There’s also room to build confidence in the systems already in place, so that rural businesses can focus on what they do best. As one Norfolk farmer put it:

“We’re being asked to jump through hoops that feel out of touch. We care about the land - we need support that trusts us, not more red tape.”

Our commitment to rural resilience

At Tees, our Agriculture, Rural and Estates team includes more than 30 specialists dedicated to supporting farming businesses. This annual survey is part of our long-term commitment to the sector – tracking sentiment, identifying trends, and offering practical legal and financial advice rooted in farming reality.

If you would like to explore the findings further or talk through what they might mean for your own business or family, we’re here to help.

Access the full survey or speak to our team

We hope you find the insights valuable. If you’d like to explore any of the issues raised or talk through what it means for your business, our specialist team is here to help.

Access the full report by filling out the form.

If you would like a digital copy sent to you directly, please contact marketing@teeslaw.com

Telephone

0800 013 1165

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