The Government has introduced legislation which it says will ‘provide continuity for farmers across all four corners of the UK and ensure farming subsidies are paid for 2020.’
The Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) (DPLC) Bill gives governments across the UK powers to administer direct payments to farmers for 2020. It comes ahead on the long awaited Agriculture Bill which will outline a new system of farm support, based on an approach where farmers are paid public money for the ‘public goods’ they produce – such as enhancing air and water quality, tackling climate change or improving animal welfare.
A Defra spokesperson commented, “Leaving the EU means we can take back control of agricultural policy and fund our own farm payments domestically. The Agriculture Bill, which will shortly be returning to the Commons, will see us move towards a new system that rewards farmers for enhancing the environment and producing the food we all enjoy in a sustainable way.
“The legislation we have introduced enables us to make Direct Payments to farmers for the 2020 scheme year– giving much-welcomed certainty to our farmers and food producers.”
Photo Caption: The new Bill enables the government to make Direct Payments to farmers for 2020
Photo source: Wikipedia