Farmers and landowners can receive free one-to-one business advice as part of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF).
More than £32 million has been awarded to 17 organisations to support farmers and land managers during the Agricultural Transition Period, as the UK leaves the EU.
The support from the different organisations will be available free of charge until March 2025.
Any farmer or land manager that farms within England and is currently in receipt of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) is eligible, and farms in Wales and Scotland can apply if a portion of land is in England.
Those who benefitted from advice under the interim phase (available late 2021/early 2022) or have applied for the Exit Scheme can also apply.
The 17 organisations that will be supporting farmers are as follows:
- ADAS Limited;
- Berrys;
- Brown & Co;
- Ceres Rural LLP;
- Devon County Council;
- DJM Consulting;
- GSC Grays Limited;
- JH Agri Consultancy;
- Laurence Gould Partnership;
- Matt Hague Agri-Business;
- Natural Enterprise;
- NIAB;
- Promar International;
- Ricardo-AEA Ltd;
- Soil Association;
- The Prince’s Countryside Fund;
- Wilson Wraight.
Guy Banham, partner and head of business, land use and finance at Berrys, said the service from Berrys will involve a bespoke offering.
““The bespoke advice will start with an on-site meeting to discuss the business and its current performance,” he said.
“A report will be then sent providing an overview of the business and analysing its financial performance and its cash position, including the impact of the reduction in BPS payments.
“The report will include tailored recommendations for improvements to the business, including how to take advantage of changing government support.
“An action plan will also be included, highlighting any necessary changes with approximate timescales.
“A total of three follow-up meetings are also available free of charge. This is an opportunity for us to provide further support by focusing on a particular business area, “ Banham added.
Banham said it is vital during this transition period, at the end of which, BPS payments will cease to exist, that farmers and landowners take stock of their businesses and understand the implications not having these support payments will have.
“Our tailored support will help businesses become more resilient and competitive, make the most of their assets and ensure they will continue to operate profitably well into the future,” he said.
