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The UK department in charge of agriculture, DEFRA has yet to complete legislation to ensure that farm payments will roll out in a no-deal Brexit.
However, DEFRA has stated that farmers will have to conform to the same standards they currently uphold under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and that farm inspections to those receiving payments, “will continue as normal”.
Future payments
The issue of how much money is available to UK farmers, including those in Northern Ireland, has been a matter of concern for many in the agricultural community.
The UK government has repeatedly committed to fund payments on par with European funding until 2022, but there is concern that payments could drop after this.
This commitment applies to the whole UK
“The government has pledged to continue to commit the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this parliament, expected in 2022. This includes all funding provided for farm support under both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the current CAP,” DEFRA said.
“This commitment applies to the whole UK.”
Last year, Northern Ireland received £326m in farm payments which was dispersed between 25,000 recipients.
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