A devolved Government in NI will have more power than ever before to shape agricultural policy to suit individual needs.
Making the commitment at a speech to the National Farmers’ Union farming conference this week, Defra Secretary Michael Gove claimed that the Government here will be free to devise methods of support that suit both local farmers and local consumers.
His only caveat was that any decisions taken in a devolved region would not act to harm the internal UK market.
Public goods
Looking to the future for farm support in England, he said that money would be progressively transferred away from Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments and towards the provision of public goods.
He described environmental protection and enhancement as “the most important public good”, and therefore deserving of the greatest share of money.
But he also suggested that new technology, improved traceability or other innovations which increase productivity, bring costs down, improve health and ensure the environment is better protected, could also be seen as public goods.
Added to this list were higher animal welfare standards, more access for the general public to the countryside, and improved education and training in agriculture and food production.
Framework
While there is little by way of detail, the headline issues raised by Gove do generally tie in with a broad policy framework designed in recent months by DAERA in consultation with industry.
It is understood that the final document produced in NI proposes a gradual move away from BPS payments, although the option is retained of having a much lower area payment than before, to help improve farm resilience. This money would be for active farmers, with potentially a maximum payment per farm, and could be targeted (eg at disadvantaged areas).
The money taken off BPS payments would then be diverted into other areas (described as public goods by Gove) such as driving productivity and protecting the environment.
Under the heading of productivity, the proposal is that money goes to research, to agricultural education and to promoting schemes such as land mobility. It is also understood that some form of training credit scheme for farmers is suggested, to help drive continuous professional development within the farming industry.
In terms of the environment, the position is clear that any form of future farm support will be linked to farming practices that do not breach minimum environmental standards.
Final decision
Ultimately, while the direction of travel is now in place, the final decision on future farm policy in NI will be for ministers.
In the meantime, the 2018 BPS is the last year that will definitely be under the current CAP framework. With the UK due to leave the EU in March 2019, there is some uncertainty about the 2019 BPS, but it is likely that it will still operate to the same CAP rules.
Whether the 2020 scheme year is part of the CAP will depend on a transitional deal between the UK and EU. Beyond that, and until 2022, it might be possible to start making some changes to prepare for a new regime post-2022.
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A devolved Government in NI will have more power than ever before to shape agricultural policy to suit individual needs.
Making the commitment at a speech to the National Farmers’ Union farming conference this week, Defra Secretary Michael Gove claimed that the Government here will be free to devise methods of support that suit both local farmers and local consumers.
His only caveat was that any decisions taken in a devolved region would not act to harm the internal UK market.
Public goods
Looking to the future for farm support in England, he said that money would be progressively transferred away from Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) payments and towards the provision of public goods.
He described environmental protection and enhancement as “the most important public good”, and therefore deserving of the greatest share of money.
But he also suggested that new technology, improved traceability or other innovations which increase productivity, bring costs down, improve health and ensure the environment is better protected, could also be seen as public goods.
Added to this list were higher animal welfare standards, more access for the general public to the countryside, and improved education and training in agriculture and food production.
Framework
While there is little by way of detail, the headline issues raised by Gove do generally tie in with a broad policy framework designed in recent months by DAERA in consultation with industry.
It is understood that the final document produced in NI proposes a gradual move away from BPS payments, although the option is retained of having a much lower area payment than before, to help improve farm resilience. This money would be for active farmers, with potentially a maximum payment per farm, and could be targeted (eg at disadvantaged areas).
The money taken off BPS payments would then be diverted into other areas (described as public goods by Gove) such as driving productivity and protecting the environment.
Under the heading of productivity, the proposal is that money goes to research, to agricultural education and to promoting schemes such as land mobility. It is also understood that some form of training credit scheme for farmers is suggested, to help drive continuous professional development within the farming industry.
In terms of the environment, the position is clear that any form of future farm support will be linked to farming practices that do not breach minimum environmental standards.
Final decision
Ultimately, while the direction of travel is now in place, the final decision on future farm policy in NI will be for ministers.
In the meantime, the 2018 BPS is the last year that will definitely be under the current CAP framework. With the UK due to leave the EU in March 2019, there is some uncertainty about the 2019 BPS, but it is likely that it will still operate to the same CAP rules.
Whether the 2020 scheme year is part of the CAP will depend on a transitional deal between the UK and EU. Beyond that, and until 2022, it might be possible to start making some changes to prepare for a new regime post-2022.
Read more
Gove's focus on animal welfare
Environmentalist sceptical of 'Green Brexit' plans
SHARING OPTIONS