New support package for farming replaces the EU Common Agricultural Policy

On 1st January 2021 a new support package for farming replaces the EU Common Agricultural Policy

This will phase out direct income support based on the area of land farmed (the Basic Payment Scheme – BPS) and strengthen funding focused on environmental protection and enhancement.

At the end of November 2020, Defra published more information about the new policy and the transition process. Transition will take seven years and will involve: completely phasing out BPS payments; closing existing agri-environment schemes and introducing Environmental Land Management; and a number of other measures.

Defra says that “through this new approach, we aim to support a vibrant and resilient agriculture sector, that enhances animal welfare and the environment, and helps enable us to meet our ambitious targets such as the protection of 30% of UK land by 2030 and Net Zero by 2050.”

You can access the full statement and a shorter booklet from the Defra website on the links below:

• The Path to Sustainable Farming: An Agricultural Transition Plan 2021 to 2024
• Farming is Changing

We have produced a short summary of the main points likely to be of interest to our members and supporters.

Download our summary: A summary of changes in farming