Little harmony in Defra's consultation paper
‘Health and Harmony’ might be the name on the Defra consultation document launched in February by Michael Gove but the implications for the farming industry do not look particularly harmonious.
The document is the precursor to the new Agricultural Bill which is expected in the autumn to replace the CAP once the UK leaves Europe. It will be strong on environmental enhancement, animal welfare and reducing the cost to the tax-payer.
The planned new government policy will bring about the biggest change to agricultural support since the 1947 Agricultural Act according to Andrea Graham, the NFU’s Head of Policy, who discussed the consultation document at a well-attended Herefordshire NFU County meeting.
She warned that the NGOs, conservation and environmental groups will 'get their fingers on it' and said that the NFU is deeply concerned at the lack of Defra focus on the importance of UK food production and food security as there is no mention of food within the Defra consultation’s 58 pages.
Michael Gove, who has always been highly critical of the CAP, has made it quite clear that the present system of BPS agricultural support will end after 2020 and be replaced by a new scheme based on enhanced environmental and welfare payments geared to remunerating income forgone focussing on ‘an outcome approach’ rather than payments as a right.
But Andrea Graham spoke of financial figures which have been produced which show a significant and a critical fall in farm incomes across all farm sizes and farming sectors.
“It will be a real challenge for farmers to source other income (to compensate for the loss of support BPS payments) through environmental and welfare payments, increased productivity and diversification,” she said.
To counter the questionable intentions by Michael Gove, the NFU’s Policy Adviser said the union is calling for a policy supporting a profitable, productive, progressive and sustainable farming industry, with fair rewards for ‘public goods’ and with sufficient time for farmers to prepare and adapt to the changes. She was adamant that whatever scheme evolves it should ensure it is open to all active farmers, provide a level playing field and be devoid of unwarranted, over-burdensome rules and regulations.
At the end of the evening Andrea Graham stressed the importance of individual farmers making their feelings known to Defra and to those responsible for decision making and to those who can influence the outcome of policy such as their MPs on the impact a misguided food and farming policy will have on their livelihoods, the countryside and the risk to the country’s food security.
