Policy Update 2020 - December

The news that the Agriculture Act has received its Royal Assent is a very significant moment as it moves the UK away from the Common Agricultural Policy and charts a new route forward for British agriculture. The government hopes that this will herald a new system to increase productivity, it is more flexible and supports environmental actions. The Act will be supported by a large number of statutory instruments/secondary legislation which is where the detail will be found; many of them still to be agreed. The key features are:


1. The phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme due to begin in early 2021 and new support schemes such as Environmental Land Management (ELMs), Sustainable Farming Incentive and Productivity grants.


2. Greater transparency and fairness in the food supply chain.


3. A duty to report to parliament on UK Food Security.


4. The new Trade and Agriculture Commission, chaired by Tim Smith, has a duty to report to Parliament on the impact any trade deals that the government wants to sign. How effective this is will depend on MPs not ratifying a piece of legislation.; a very rare occurrence.


So as usual, the devil will be in the detail.


The Agriculture Bill is mirrored by the Environment Bill, which has been badly delayed but will set out a ten point plan for a green industrial revolution.


RABDF will keep you updated on progress and implementation.
Tim Brigstocke
Policy Director.