Eustice hails better deal for farmers as Agriculture Bill becomes law

THE Government’s landmark Agriculture Bill passed into law yesterday, marking the start of postBrexit farming policy.

Ministers said the legislation “will unleash the potential of agriculture”, and provide a boost to the industry after “years of inefficient and overly bureaucratic policy dictated to farmers by the EU”.

The agricultural transition period will begin next year, breaking away from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, and farmers will have seven years to adapt to the new agricultural system.

The Government said the Agriculture Bill sets out how farmers and land managers in England will be rewarded in the future with public money for “public goods” – such as better air and water quality, thriving wildlife, soil health, or measures to reduce flooding and tackle the effects of climate change, under the Environmental Land Management scheme.

These incentives will help to achieve the goals of the Government’s

25 Year Environment Plan and its commitment to reach net zero emissions by the year 2050, it added.

The new system will replace the Basic Payment Scheme subsidy system, which largely pays farmers for the total amount of land farmed and faced criticism for skewing payments towards the largest landowners, rather than rewarding farmers for any specific public benefits.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: “Our landmark Agriculture Act will transform the way we support farmers.

“We will support farmers in reducing their costs and improving their profitability, to help those who want to retire or leave the industry to do so with dignity, and to create new opportunities and support for new entrants coming in to the industry.”

The Government will also report on UK food security to Parliament every three years. The first report will be published at the end of next year.