Fund for nature-friendly farming to be slashed in UK spending review

Exclusive: Defra sources say scheme, which pays farmers to protect nature, will be targeted at small farms'

The nature-friendly farming budget is set to be slashed in the UK spending review, with only small farms allowed to apply, it can be revealed.

Sources at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) confirmed the post-Brexit farming fund will be severely cut in the review on 11 June. It will be part of a swathe of cuts to departments, with police, social housing and nature funding expected to face the brunt.