NEITHER FARMERS nor Defra are ready for the scheduled reductions in the Basic Payment Scheme – so they should be postponed.

In a direct appeal to the UK government, the English National Farmers Union this week called for the current timetable of BPS cuts in 2022 and 2023 to be scrapped, warning that the extraordinary circumstances of this year justified delaying what would be the 'biggest transformation' in farm support systems in generations.

The ENFU also noted, as tactfully as it could, that the environmentally-inclined systems with which Defra intended to replace the EU's Common Agricultural Policy were not yet 'fit for purpose'.

"The perfect storm, which is seeing a shortage of workers bringing to a halt the UK’s just-in-time supply chains in some places, as well as rising inflation adding increased costs to farms, against a backdrop of disrupted trade flows and a fierce retail price war, is causing huge challenges to people trying to run effective farm businesses," said the union, while noting the National Audit Office's report that Defra had not yet published detailed objectives or ensured adequate incentive for farmers’ participation in its new Environmental Land Management scheme, resulting in a lack of uptake.

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ENFU president Minette Batters suggested that a pause for a review of Defra's plans would provide ministers with more time to develop replacement schemes and for the sector to move forward from the multiple issues it’s currently facing: “This change in agricultural policy represents the biggest transformation for farmers in generations, and the NFU and its members want – and need - this transition to be a success.

"We have set out our path for achieving net zero by 2040 and want to ensure we can continue to produce climate friendly food to feed the nation, with our current self-sufficiency levels at 60%. We want to see this maintained as a minimum, with government setting an ambition for growth in its new food security report later this year.

“But I really fear for the future success of farming in this country if the government presses ahead with its current timetable to transition to its new agriculture policy schemes which simply aren’t ready, " said Ms Batters. "That’s why we are calling for a postponement to the BPS reductions in 2022 and 2023, alongside a thorough review, to ensure the new policies and schemes are ready with clear incentives and objectives. It’s crucial they give farmers and growers the confidence to invest, provide fairer market returns, reward environmental delivery, and realise our shared ambition of producing climate-friendly food for markets at home and abroad. Let’s not forget, we are also reliant on these new schemes to support farming on its net zero journey."

She accepted, however, that the planned cuts to the 2021 BPS had to go ahead, as Defra needed to free up funding for the development and trialling of its new schemes, so that more farmers might embrace the new regime and get onboard: "If these schemes are to be fit for purpose, we will need to see thousands of farmers signing up, instead of the hundreds we have today," she noted.

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"Farming is a long-term business and we only have one chance to get this agriculture transition right. I believe implementing a short delay now to BPS reductions will allow government the time it needs to deliver durable schemes and policies. We stand ready to work with government on the development and delivery of these new schemes.”

As agricultural policy is devolved, the Welsh government announced last month that it would extend its Basic Payment Scheme until 2023. Scotland and Northern Ireland have similarly delayed changes to their farm support regimes.