Wealthy farmers and landowners should not face "sudden and dramatic cuts" to pave way for new support system post-Brexit, according to the CLA.
According to the rural organisation, which represents landowners and farmers, no farming or rural business, no matter how wealthy its owners are perceived to be, should face "sudden and dramatic" cuts.
The comments follow the release of the government's publication of the consultation on future farming policy released today (27 February). The CLA says it is "seriously lacking" in detail.
It has reacted with disappointment to the "many unanswered questions" that remain following its release by Defra.
The long-anticipated consultation paper is the pre-cursor to promised legislation that is required to manage the transition of the UK’s farming industry out of the EU and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
It proposes £150m in support payments redirected from wealthy farmers and landowners to a new system of paying farmers "public money for public goods".
'Open questions'
CLA President Tim Breitmeyer said the organisation is "up for change", and British farming industry "can do better" than existing EU farming policy.
However, Mr Breitmeyer said the consultation leaves "open questions, few decisions and no answers".
"We can make our industry more productive and more profitable and we can deliver world-leading standards in animal welfare and environmental protection. But to do this we need certainty and time to plan," he said.
"In just over a year from now we will be leaving the EU. Love it or hate it, the EU has shaped the way we farm, provided most of our customers and been a source of vital income for thousands of businesses."
'Clarity'
Mr Breitmeyer said British farming businesses can "thrive" outside the EU, but only if there are plans and investment.
"Government has a responsibility to provide clarity and as greater certainty as it is possible to give. We will be asking Ministers for urgent answers on when they will deliver this," he added.
"The consultation sets out important areas where decisions are needed: how can we manage an effective transition out of the current system, how long should it be? If money is to be removed, how much and from whom?
"Our message is that in the short-term, only money that is clearly necessary for transitional measures should be taken out of the system, and no business, no matter how wealthy its owners are perceived to be, should face sudden and dramatic cuts."
Redirected
The consultation wants to see an end to direct payments based on the amount of land farmed.
Instead, the money will be redirected from direct payments under the CAP to a new system based on work to enhance the environment and invest in sustainable food production.
Mr Breitmeyer added: "In a few months the Government will bring forward legislation that will set the direction for the next generation of farming and land management. It has promised a bold vision for a profitable industry which can deliver environmental management, one we consistently have supported.
"But it is the detail, not the words, that will define farming's future and this is still seriously lacking."
