Brexit

This week, Defra published its agricultural transition plan (ATP), which sets out some of the major milestones for the sector over the next seven years. Abi Kay reports.

Farmers in England are set to lose at least 50 per cent of their direct payments by 2024 under post-Brexit transition plans to be announced by the Government.

The EU’s Farm to Fork Strategy, which sets a target to reduce pesticide use by 50 per cent, would negatively affect the world’s most food-insecure populations. The UK should not follow suit, says Adam Speed, director of public affairs at the Crop Protection Association.

2020 has been a challenging year for farmers, but with the end of the transition period, changes to direct payments and new trade deals on the horizon, 2021 may bring further hardship, says Conservative peer Anne McIntosh.

Brexit will create winners and losers in farming, but the direction of travel makes me fear there will be more losers than winners, says Oliver Dowding, an apple grower in South East Somerset.

A new report published today by the Future British Standards Coalition (FBSC) warns the Government has already watered down protections, scrutiny and accountability around food standards.

While for the most part agriculture has avoided the worst effects of Covid-19, minds are certainly starting to focus on the breadth of change heading the industry’s way in 2021, namely Brexit and the shifting sands of farm support.

Industry leaders have warned farmers will face ‘major financial hardship’ during the transition away from direct payments, with Defra planning to maintain the income foregone payment model for the foreseeable future.

Ministers from the devolved nations have called for assurances that all EU funding for the countryside will be fully replaced, after it emerged Treasury proposals would see rural budgets slashed by more than £455m.

The UK’s internal market will not be distorted if Scottish farmers keep their direct payments after Brexit, Defra Secretary George Eustice has said.