Let’s seize the chance to revitalise rural areas

sir – It is heartening to see that the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, is committed to putting the environment at the heart of plans for agriculture after Brexit (Letters, September 13).

He has realised that leaving the Common Agricultural Policy affords us an opportunity to tackle some of the great challenges facing our natural environment and countryside, such as the poor health of our rivers and the catastrophic declines in species such as the turtle dove and hedgehog.

Making these improvements is perfectly compatible with sustainable and profitable food production. We now look to the Chancellor for assurances that the level of funding will be maintained and that payments will work towards legally binding targets established in the Government’s Environment Bill.

Shaun Spiers

Executive Director, Green Alliance London SW1

sir – It is no surprise to the agricultural industry that our subsidies will be directed from production towards environmental management. If we achieve a sensible and fair trade deal before we leave the EU, the industry will survive or even prosper.

For several years, I and many other farmers in Britain have received payments for environmental work (some have carried out unpaid work, too). Our duties have included providing crops that feed wild birds, as well as nectar sources, habitat improvement and hedgerow management.

I am also the custodian of a Site of Special Scientific Interest, for which I get paid – though I have not, in fact, received any money for 18 months. The Rural Payments Agency and Natural England are in a mess. They make unnecessary work for themselves and for farmers by creating problems, such as updating farmers’ maps incorrectly. They don’t pay on time and they don’t communicate properly.

Mr Gove needs to sort out the problems in his department before he does anything else.

Nigel Barnes

Westoning , Bedfordshire