Continued CAP funding will give 'important breathing space for farm businesses'
The Tenant Farmers Association has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it will continue to support the current level of funding coming through the Common Agricultural Policy until 2020.
TFA Chairman, Stephen Wyrill, said the announcement will provide an "important breathing space" for farm businesses up-and-down the country as they prepare for life outside the European Union.
"It will also provide sufficient space for the dialogue and thinking that will need to occur about what should be put in place of the current EU regimes in respect of agriculture, rural development and agri-environment beyond Brexit," Mr Wyrill said.
"The TFA has produced its strategy for agricultural policy in a post-EU Britain about which it is liaising with Government ministers and civil servants."
"The Government’s announcement also provides an important assurance to the farming community that its intention is not to leave the industry high and dry as we leave the European Union.
'Better reflecting and respecting'
"The CAP has had many critics both within and outside of Government.
"However now we have the chance to put together a package of measures that better reflects our country and respects devolution," said Mr Wyrill.
The TFA has joined with a group of environmental and farming organisations in pressing the Treasury to come forward with an early announcement about new agri-environment agreements, applications for which are due to be submitted within the next few weeks.
"We would have appreciated an extension in the deadlines for applications for agri-environment schemes given the uncertainty surrounding this year’s new applications which will have delayed many from taking forward discussions about schemes they might be interested in developing.
"However, the fact that we are still able to sign up to new schemes is good news and will be widely appreciated," said Mr Wyrill.
The Tenant Farmers Association is an organisation which represents the interests of tenant farmers.
