A government pledge to British farmers to match-fund projects financed by the EU in the wake of Brexit offers a 'unique opportunity that many don't know about'.
It's a move which could cost up to £6bn a year and was made when institutions were worried about funding drying up when Britain left the EU.
Simon Britton, a partner at George F White, told the Yorkshire Post that people were using Brexit as an 'excuse' not to do things.
He said: "It's a good time to apply for a grant. There is a real breadth of grants available, and for up to 40 per cent.
"It's really significant, and I don't think people really know it," he said.
The Treasury says farmers will get the same level of funding they would have received until the end of parliament and it is 'considering the options for long-term reform beyond that point.'
Reassurances
The NFU said the Treasury's commitment was 'positive' for farmers.
NFU President Meurig Raymond said: "I hope that this short-term certainty will help to deliver longer-term confidence and this is exactly what farm businesses need now."
The union said it had given farmers much-needed certainty: "This should mean that farmers can count on receiving the Basic Payment Scheme through to 2020 and that agri-environment schemes already in place are guaranteed through to their conclusion."
Andy Tordoff, head of Rural Payments Agency (RPA) in Yorkshire said funding was not a problem as the UK moved towards leaving the EU.
He said: "At this time, there is a healthy budget available to help rural businesses grow and diversity.
"It is a real window of opportunity and the application process is open until next January."
'Stability and certainty'
Chancellor Philip Hammond said the government was determined to ensure that people have 'stability and certainty' in the period leading up to departure from the EU.
Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell welcomed his decision.
"This will help to give some reassurance to communities and businesses right the way across the UK."
The Wildlife Trusts said agri-environment schemes are a vital way of supporting farmers and landowners who want to help wildlife.
"We would like to see them kept open for as long as possible and until a replacement scheme, at least as good as what we currently have but preferably better, is operative.”
The Treasury said: "We will consult closely with stakeholders to review all EU funding schemes in the round, to ensure that any ongoing funding commitments best serve the UK's national interest, while ensuring appropriate investor certainty”.
