South Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has welcomed the reintroduction of the Agriculture Bill to the House of Commons.
The Bill was originally introduced in the last Parliament, but lapsed due to the General Election. The government is reintroducing the Bill, with some amendments, to ensure farmers get the support they need post-Brexit as the UK moves away from the Common Agricultural Policy and towards a system of payments for public good, for example improving biodiversity or managing flood risk.
Mr Dunne served on the Agriculture Bill Committee, using his expertise as a farmer to scrutinise and improve the draft legislation.
Mr Dunne said: “The government’s reintroduced Agriculture Bill will help secure farming for the future as we leave the Common Agricultural Policy – which was a land based system favouring large farms.
I am particularly pleased the government has acknowledged the concerns I raised in Committee Stage, and now included a multi-annual financial assistance plan. The first plan will be for 7 years from 1 January 2021, and subsequent plans must be at least five years in duration. This will help give much greater certainty to farmers to help plan for the future, recognising farmers making decisions on crop rotation and livestock rearing which take several years to come to fruition.
The Bill also includes significant provisions for encouraging and rewarding farmers who help protect and enhance the environment, including improved protections for soil health.”
The government has already announced the funding available for Direct Payments for 2020 will be the same as for 2019, and the Direct Payments to Farmers (Legislative Continuity) Bill has been introduced to Parliament to make Direct Payments to farmers for the 2020 scheme year– giving welcome certainty to farmers and food producers. For subsequent years the government is committed to matching the overall current budget available to farmers in every year of this Parliament.
Ludlow MP welcomes further fall in inflation
New community initiative aims to improve ground of cemetery in Ludlow
Long term plans for flood hit Severn communities
Farm buildings built without permission will stay
College will build 60 room boarding house after plans approved
‘Improved’ plan to replace turkey sheds with houses near Leominster
“Dismay” as schools library service faces axe
Shropshire Council plan to help homeless is “huge step forward”
