The Government has set out its proposals for the Agriculture industry post Brexit and is appealing to anyone who will be affected to take part in a consultation.
The new proposals will mean that money will be redirected from direct payments under the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) which is based on the amount of land farmed to a new system of paying farmers “public money for public goods”. This means farmers will be paid for their work to enhance the environment and invest in sustainable food production. There could also be support for investment in technology and skills to improve productivity, providing public access to farmland and the countryside, enhanced welfare standards for livestock and measures to support the resilience of rural and upland communities. As promised the Government will continue to commit the same amount of money until the end of the Parliament in 2022.
I’m also pleased to hear that its proposals include an ‘agricultural transition’ lasting a number of years beyond the implementation period during which direct payments would continue, providing stability and certainty for farmers as they prepare for the new system.
I know that many farmers in my constituency are, understandably, concerned about how Government policy might impact them, post Brexit, and so I urge you to take advantage of this opportunity to have your say by taking part in the consultation which closes on May 8th 2018.
You will find more here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/the-future-for-food-farming-and-the-environment