Removal of BPS is the hardest hitting
NEARLY half of farmers believe the removal of direct payments by 2028 will have the biggest impact on their farm business going forward, new research has revealed.
A recent poll carried out by the National Farm Research Unit, on behalf of the Institute of Agricultural Management (IAgrM), asked farmers about the key issues they will face in the next three years.
Of those surveyed, 48% said the end of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which will be acreage-based subsidies gradually phased out over a sevenyear transition period from 2021 to 2027, will hit their business the most with many British and indeed South West farms heavily dependent on their BPS claim to remain profitable.
The findings come as part of the lead up to the IAgrM National Farm Management Conference, which will be held at the QE II Centre in London on Tuesday, November 16, under the theme ‘Agriculture 2028: Transitioning to Life Beyond Direct Payments’.
“We wanted farmers to be involved in shaping the conference this year,” explained John Giles, IAgrM council member.
“Ending of BPS payments was way out in front in the results, with increased restrictions on input use and ability to achieve net zero carbon targets and the impact of climate change coming in second and third respectively. It’s interesting to hear that this is such a focus, as the main aim of the conference is to look ahead to transitioning into life after direct payments.
“Rather than just talking about the issues, we’ve taken it a step further to look at life beyond this and what skills and solutions are needed to get ready for this momentous change.”
Mr Giles said a “showstopping” line-up of speakers will talk about their experiences, from boots on the ground insight to leading industry advisors who can talk about the issues that farm businesses are facing and what can be done to get ready for the changes that are ahead.”
“For example, Nicholas Saphir, the AHDB (Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board) chair, will open the session by talking about what the industry needs to do to get to 2028 and what the gaps are that are holding us back,” he added.
Sessions will focus on the gaps that need to be bridged by the industry to reach success after 2028, which include the trade competitiveness gap, farm management skills gap, technology gap, information gap, innovation gap and entrepreneurship gap.
Mr Giles said that the conference is open to anyone, both members of the Institute and non-members: “This is the event to attend this year if you are looking for help and advice on future proofing your farm business.”
For more details, visit the website www.iagrm.com/conference