Chancellor Sajid Javid has confirmed almost £3 billion in agricultural funding to maintain Direct Payments to the industry at the same level as last year for the next 12 months.
The Government said that the money would allow the funding for Direct Payments for 2020 to continue at the same level as 2019, supplementing the remaining EU funding that farmers will receive for development projects until 2023 at the latest. It confirmed it would guarantee the current annual budget to farmers in every year of the Parliament.
This funding is in addition to the £206.6 million of funding awarded since Spending Round to support the farming sector in Scotland and Wales, and will be available from late 2020 for the 2020/21 financial years.
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sajid Javid, said, Farmers can enter the New Year with confidence that they have our backing and will be able to thrive after Brexit.”
Environment Secretary, Theresa Villiers, added, “Outside the EU we will have a simpler, fairer funding system – one that rewards farmers for enhancing our environment and safeguarding our high animal welfare standards. We are committed to making sure our rural communities feel the benefits of Brexit and will ensure our farmers get a better deal.”
Photo Caption: Chancellor Sajid Javid
Photo source: Wikimedia Commons