DOZENS of green campaigners are calling on the government to support farmers and address the “broken” state of England’s agriculture sector.

The Wildlife Trusts and WWF are among numerous groups who have signed a letter to Environment Secretary Steve Reed, raising the alarm about what they describe as unfair supply chains and funding for nature-friendly farming.

Thousands of farmers are expected to descend on Parliament on Wednesday for further protests as anger continues over the government’s proposed changes to inheritance tax rules on agricultural property and land.

British farmers have described the move as the “final straw” after years of tightening margins, driven by rising costs, climate-change impacts and market pressures from imports.

Extreme weather across Britain in recent months also contributed to one of the worst harvests on record.

Nature campaigners said the proposed tax changes came as a political flashpoint for a sector struggling with deep-rooted challenges.

Their letter said: “Farmers feel undervalued, overburdened and unsupported in their efforts to embrace a transition to nature-friendly farming. This should concern us all.

“This moment lays bare the deep systemic issues that have dogged England’s agricultural transition.

“From an unjust food system to inadequate investment in nature-friendly farming, the root causes must be addressed.”

The letter raised concerns about a power imbalance in supply chains that favoured major retailers and left farmers with little negotiating clout.

Farmers often earn less than 1p for every pound spent by consumers, the campaigners said, adding that unfair contracts, supermarket pressures and exploitative practices were stifling their ability to invest in nature-friendly farming.

Campaigners called on ministers to increase the annual farm budget to £3.1 billion in England to support nature-friendly farming, safeguard livelihoods, improve animal welfare and meet critical climate, nature and water targets.

Angela Francis, director of policy at WWF, said: “British farmers must be at the heart of any serious action on nature, climate, and sustainable food production.

“Yet too often, farmers feel they are being asked to bear the brunt of fixing a broken system.”

The Department for Food and Rural Affairs said it is investing £5 billion through the farming budget over two years — the largest amount for sustainable food production and nature’s recovery in our country’s history.