The Government has today (9 January) introduced legislation
to provide continuity for farmers across all four corners
of the UK and ensure farming subsidies are paid for 2020.
The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity)
(DPLC) Bill has been introduced in Parliament to give
governments across the UK powers to administer direct
payments to farmers for 2020.
It follows the Chancellor’s recent announcement confirming
the same level of funding for direct payments for 2020 as
for 2019.
After this, the Agriculture Bill will provide a new system
of farm support, moving away from direct payments in
England towards an approach where farmers are paid public
money for the ‘public goods’ they produce – such as
enhancing air and water quality, tackling climate change or
improving animal welfare.
A Defra spokesperson said:
Leaving the EU means we can take back control of
agricultural policy and fund our own farm payments
domestically.
The Agriculture Bill, which will shortly be returning to
the Commons, will see us move towards a new system that
rewards farmers for enhancing the environment and
producing the food we all enjoy in a sustainable way.
The legislation we have introduced today enables us to
make Direct Payments to farmers for the 2020 scheme year–
giving much-welcomed certainty to our farmers and food
producers.
