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The three main British political parties have all made promises in their pre-election manifestos about maintaining future payments to farmers.
The strongest commitment probably comes from the Conservatives, who clearly state that they would match the current annual budget available in cash terms to farmers in every year of the next Parliament (to 2024).
But there are caveats, with farmers required to operate in a way that “protects and enhances our natural environment, as well as safeguarding high standards of animal welfare”.
As direct payments are reduced, the money is redirected into a new environmental land management scheme
Under the Tory plan set out in 2018, farmers would gradually transition over a seven-year period to a new system of “public money for public goods”.
As direct payments are reduced, the money is redirected into a new environmental land management scheme.
However, this new scheme is planned for England only, and speaking in Scotland last week, former Defra secretary Michael Gove confirmed that it would be for devolved governments to decide how money is spent.
There are also plans to set up a new independent office for environmental protection
Aside from support payments, the Tory manifesto also makes a number of other commitments relevant to farmers. Everyone, including in the public sector, will be encouraged to “Buy British”.
There are also plans to set up a new independent office for environmental protection, and for the UK to be planting 75,000 acres of trees annually by 2024.
Labour
In its manifesto, the Labour party is less forthcoming on payments, stating that it will “maintain agricultural and rural structural funds, but repurpose them to support environmental land management and sustainable methods of food production”.
On animal welfare, the party makes a number of commitments, including that it will bring an end to badger culling in England
It also wants to increase access into farming for new entrants, and aims to achieve net-zero-carbon food production in Britain by 2040.
On animal welfare, the party makes a number of commitments, including that it will bring an end to badger culling in England.
Lib Dems
The Liberal Democrat manifesto is probably the most detailed document, and heavily focused on environmental and animal welfare issues. On support payments, the party says it will reduce money going to larger recipients and redeploy the savings into land management schemes designed to prevent flooding and combat climate change.
On animal welfare, the party will work to improve standards in agriculture
They want to plant 60m trees a year and introduce a new nature act to improve water and air quality, soils and biodiversity.
On animal welfare, the party will work to improve standards in agriculture, including by banning caged hen production, and will invest in producing workable vaccines to control bovine TB.
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