The Conservative Party, hot favourites to win the UK general election with a big majority, have promised in their manifesto to “commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of the parliament”.

This means the pool of money available will be the same, although the manifesto does not say how it will be distributed. Under the heading of “Our Countryside Communities”, the manifesto dedicates one of the document’s 88 pages to agriculture and rural affairs.

”New agri-environment system”

The conservatives are leaving it to the following parliament (after 2022) to introduce a “new agri-environment system”, following consultation with farmers, food producers, environmental experts across Britain and the devolved administrations. This suggests that any major changes will occur after 2022.

Although there are no specifics, the Conservatives want to use farmer expertise to deliver environmental improvements. The manifesto includes a commitment to continue with action to improve animal welfare. Use of CCTV in slaughterhouses is to be made compulsory.

Comment

It is positive that the pool of money dedicated to farming will be maintained. In fact, this could be better than the next CAP if its budget is reduced. What is not clear is when the reforms earmarked for the following parliament will begin to be introduced; and, given the focus on the environment and animal welfare (and no reference to production), will UK farmers ultimately be left to compete at world market prices.

But ahead of that, the farming lobby will be happy to have secured a medium-term financial commitment from the Conservative Party – the next challenge is to shape how it is used to the benefit of productive farming. And for farmers in NI, one of the most crucial issues will be whether they maintain their current share of CAP money under a UK system (currently they get 9% of UK CAP money), or whether the money is divided up in a different way (only 3% of the UK population live in NI).

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