“There will be more trees, meadows and wetlands – and fewer sheep and cows as controversial EU farm subsidies are phased out. Ministers say it represents the most fundamental shift in farming policy for 50 years.”
.
The government has unveiled its promised reforms on farming subsidies:
Agriculture: multi financial assistance plan 2021 to 2027 – GOV.UK
And it promises a ‘better, fairer farming system’:
Government unveils path to sustainable farming from 2021 – GOV.UK
It’s been covered from every angle:
Axe falls on taxpayer subsidies to farmers: George Eustice to confirm that payments will be stopped | Daily Mail OnlineEnvironment to benefit from ‘biggest farming shake-up in 50 years’ | Farming | The Guardian
Farming needs new blood for post-Brexit future, minister says | News | The Times [paywall]
With excerpts from a BBC analysis:
England’s countryside will radically change after the Brexit transition period, the government has confirmed. There will be more trees, meadows and wetlands – and fewer sheep and cows as controversial EU farm subsidies are phased out. Ministers say it represents the most fundamental shift in farming policy for 50 years.
Farmers will get grants for
- Protecting ‘heritage’ farm buildings and stone walls
- Expanding hedges
- Capturing carbon in soils and cutting pesticides
- Natural flood management including restoring river bends
- Landscape recovery, restoring peatland and planting new woods
- Reducing antibiotics
- Improving animal health and welfare
More details of the new policies will appear over time, but environmentalists say the National Farmers’ Union has already persuaded the government to water down its original intentions. Farmers complained that the original hurdles to qualify for ELM grants were too high. So, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has created what it calls the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). This will reward farmers for basic activities such as crop rotation, soil conservation and stopping chemicals polluting waterways. Environmentalists say actions like this are normal good practice, and shouldn’t always be funded by the taxpayer.
Brexit: Ministers unveil next steps in England’s farming policy – BBC News