Politics

All eyes were on Government talks with France to get borders open

Four years on from the EU referendum, Abi Kay takes a look at the Brexit promises made to farmers, and whether they are being realised.

The Scottish and Welsh Governments are giving their farmers more time to prepare for big policy changes than Defra in England. It is small, family farmers who will pay the price for this rush to abolish direct support, says Labour Shadow Defra Secretary Luke Pollard.

Defra Secretary George Eustice’s claim that the sheep sector may not need no-deal support is a travesty, says Ceredigion Plaid Cymru MP Ben Lake.

Farmers in Wales can expect to keep direct payments until at least 2022 under new plans outlined by the Welsh Government as it moves towards a Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS).

Next year will see farmers facing a complex mix of challenges, whatever happens with Brexit, farm business consultants Andersons have said. By Jonathan Wheeler

Defra Secretary George Eustice has said the current ‘buoyancy’ of the UK sheep market may mean the sector will not need to be compensated in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

The PM must negotiate a three to six-month adjustment period as part of any EU trade deal, so farmers have time to prepare for the new relationship, says Mike Rumbles, North East Scotland MSP.

With direct payments on their way out, farmers should consider rewilding on marginal land to boost the income they make from food production, says Dr Stephanie Wray, director of RSK Wilding.

With BPS on the way out, and Defra not yet ready to offer support which fills the gap, farmers must take steps now to survive the Brexit transition, says Dr Julia Aglionby, executive director at the FCL and chairwoman of the Uplands Alliance.