Michael Gove has set out the Government’s major post-Brexit agriculture policy to invest in the environment and take back control for farmers after almost 50 years under EU rules.
The new system will follow a seven-year agricultural transition period to give farmers time to adjust as they plan for the future legislation.
The Agriculture Bill sets out how farmers and land managers will in future be paid for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, improved soil health, higher animal welfare standards, public access to the countryside and measures to reduce flooding.
It will replace the current subsidy system of Direct Payments with a new Environmental Land Management system starting from next year.
The Government will work together with farmers to design, develop and trial the new approach. Under the new system, farmers and land managers who provide the greatest environmental benefits will secure the largest rewards, laying the foundations for a ‘Green Brexit’.
The bill will also be underpinned by measures to increase productivity and invest in research and development.
For example, there will be funding available for farmers to come together to develop the research projects that they want – whether that be on soil health or sustainable livestock farming.
The Government will also be able to make payments during the seven-year transition period for farmers to invest in new technologies and methods that boost productivity.
‘An historic moment’
Environment Secretary Michael Gove said: “The introduction of the Agriculture Bill is an historic moment as we leave the EU and move towards a brighter future for farming.
After nearly 50 years of being tied to burdensome and outdated EU rules, we have an opportunity to deliver a Green Brexit.
“This Bill will allow us to reward farmers who protect our environment, leaving the countryside in a cleaner, greener and healthier state for future generations.
“Critically, we will also provide the smooth and gradual transition that farmers and land managers need to plan ahead.”
What about 2019?
For 2019, Direct Payments will be made on the same basis as now, subject to simplifications where possible. Direct Payments for 2020 will also be made in much the same way as now.
Simplifications will be made as soon as possible, subject to the terms of the overall Brexit implementation period.
There will then be an agricultural transition period in England between 2021 and 2027 as payments are gradually phased out. During the consultation, there was a widespread support for applying reductions to Direct Payments more widely.
Most farmers will therefore see some reduction to their payments during the transition, although those who receive the highest payments will see bigger reductions initially.
To help new entrants get into the sector and give farmers the flexibility to plan for the future, Direct Payments during the agricultural transition period up until 2027 will be “delinked” from the requirement to farm the land.
These payments, which may be calculated according to money received in previous years, can be used by farmers to invest in their business, diversify their activities or else retire from farming and give a way for new people to enter.
Strengthening transparency
The bill also sets out how the Government will strengthen transparency in the supply chain to help farmers get a better deal in the marketplace.
The Government claims that by collecting data from across the supply chain, it will help food producers strengthen their negotiating position at the farm-gate and seek a fairer return.
