The CLA is pleased that the Agriculture Bill is back after an
extensive delay, but is calling for urgent clarity from
Government on transition.
The Agriculture Bill, which
has been released today, sets out how farmers and land managers
would be paid in a system of payments for public goods, and
support for profitable and sustainable farming.
CLA President Mark
Bridgeman said: “This is
welcome news after a year of political
stalemate.”
The transition period is set to begin from 2021, but
the delay in the Bill and the lack of clarity of how direct
payments will be removed during the transition period means there
is still much uncertainty among farmers and land
managers.
The seven-year transition period will see the removal
of direct payments, which have been the mainstay of support for
many years, and a move to the new Environmental Land Management
Scheme (ELMS) that will only be fully available from late 2024
under current plans.
Mr Bridgeman added: “However, the Government should
allow proper time for rural businesses to adjust and adapt,
ideally by delaying the start of the transition by 12 months.
This would allow farmers to make
long term plans, once the details become clearer of both the
crucial trade deal and future schemes.
“We warmly welcome guarantees of funding for the
lifetime of this Parliament, but farmers need to know how it
affects them personally. Government should set out the profile of
the transition and how ELMS will work in detail as a matter of
urgency and guarantee that there will be no delays in its
implementation.”
The CLA is supportive of the shift towards payment
for public goods which will reward all farmers and land
managers who deliver for the
environment and society.
