Focusing only on environmental outcomes for post-Brexit farming 'a huge mistake'

Agri-environment schemes aren't the only factors which needs considering, the TFA says
Agri-environment schemes aren't the only factors which needs considering, the TFA says

The Tenant Farmers Association has said the National Trust's vision for a post Brexit shouldn't focus only on environmental outcomes, labelling it a 'huge mistake'.

TFA Chief Executive George Dunn said the Trust has focused on the need to ensure that there is support only for environmental outcomes in the post Brexit environment.

Mr Dunn said: "The TFA agrees that around a third of the current annual budget spent through the CAP should be earmarked for a brand-new, outcome focused agri-environment scheme which rewards active farmers for their labour, management and investment in managing land for biodiversity, landscape and nature. However, this is only one part of what is required."

Last week, the National Trust released a statement on a reform of farm support, proposing a system which is more environmentally friendly.

"Focusing only on domestic environmental outcomes would be a huge mistake," said Mr Dunn
"Focusing only on domestic environmental outcomes would be a huge mistake," said Mr Dunn

The conservation organisation said that reforms are needed to "reverse decades of damage to the countryside we love."

The TFA’s post Brexit agricultural policy argues for three distinct elements of a new policy which adds business resilience and market development alongside a package of agri-environment measures.

"Post Brexit Government policy for agriculture must address all of the market failures that exist and not just the provision of environmental public goods.

"The declining share of national income spent on primary food products, the structure of food marketing creating an unfair trading platform for farmers, long-term food security and uneven production standards all need to be addressed.

"Focusing only on domestic environmental outcomes would be a huge mistake," said Mr Dunn.

'Greater business resilience'

Mr Dunn said farm businesses need a 'farm business development grant' scheme, which provides capped funding.

"We need to assist with the implementation of approved plans for greater business resilience covering fixed equipment, cost reduction initiatives, additional processing capacity, diversification, marketing, cooperative initiatives, producer organisations, climate change adaptation and environmental improvement.

"Finally, we also need a package of near market research and development, technology transfer, promotion, market development, brand development and other supply chain initiatives focused on supporting British produced food.

"We must also see a greater degree of public procurement of British food and a requirement for all food sold in Britain to meet at least Red Tractor standards.

"Where imported product is unable to meet those standards we must substitute those imports with home produced products.

"Without this, we merely export our environmental, animal welfare and consumer safety problems abroad," said Mr Dunn.