Improvements to farming schemes this year will include additional funding for farmers and landowners who choose to create and permissive footpaths, cycle paths and bridleways on their land.
The UK government said the additional support for farmers who provide greater access to their land through footpaths and cycle paths will reduce barriers to accessing green spaces.
It will also encourage more people to “get out and explore England’s countryside” and give the public a greater understanding of how British food is produced, the government said.
“Farmers who provide greater access to their land will receive funding through new actions on offer in the government’s farming schemes next year,” the government said.
“The revised 2024 offer will also see the expansion of the popular Educational Access scheme to create more opportunities for young people to learn about and engage with farming, forestry, food production, wildlife and the wider landscape.”
The government said this delivers on key commitments in the Environmental Improvement Plan to improve access to nature and sits alongside a host of actions to support farmers to maintain current levels of food production while delivering positive outcomes for the environment.
“Farmers will continue to receive support under the scheme for items including maps, way markers and fencing to mark out permissive access and help people enjoy farmland and woodland responsibly.
“The government also continues to work with farmers and landowners to stress the importance of all visitors to the countryside following the Countryside Code, which includes rules such as following local signs, cooperating with farmers when animals are being moved, keeping dogs under control and in sight, and taking all litter home.”
Food labelling
In relation to food labelling, the government said there will be a consultation on proposals to make food labelling clearer.
This will include highlighting when imported products do not meet UK welfare standards and ensuring food is consistently labelled.
Environment Secretary Steve Barclay will announce these measures today at the Oxford Farming Conference, which runs from January 3-5.
Barclay will speak with online retailers to identify ways to better support online customers to understand the origin of their food products at the point of purchase, including the option of a ‘Buy British Button’.
Steve Barclay is set to say: “British farmers take pride in producing food that meets, and often exceeds, our world-leading animal welfare and environmental standards.
“British consumers want to buy this top-quality food, but too often products produced to lower standards overseas aren’t clearly labelled to differentiate them.
“This is why I am proud to announce that we will consult on clearer food labelling so we can tackle the unfairness created by misleading labelling and protect farmers and consumers.”
