If the money is withdrawn from the work of farming food altogether, then our farming is likely to collapse, and our dependence on foreign imports increases, with or without tariffs.
Our rural areas have received considerable support through the European Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to keep jobs, communities and the land farmed, whilst bringing money into our local economies. There have been some excellent stewardship schemes increasing public access and a healthier, more diverse environment. However, the CAP has been largely based on land area, so larger land-owners, such as multinational pension funds, inevitably get the most. The CAP could have been tapered to benefit the smallest farmers, but as an EU fund, that would not have helped the UK. Ready for a post Brexit world, Rt Hon Michael Gove MP is now consulting on new plans.
If the money is withdrawn from the work of farming food altogether, then our farming is likely to collapse, and our dependence on foreign imports increases, with or without tariffs.
Landowners may instead be paid for their environmental improvements, which is in part at least a good idea. However, how is this strong enough for the future, when stacked up against priorities such as the NHS and reducing the national debt? In some already stretched rural areas, loss of these funds will mean they are less able than ever to cope, let alone contribute, to our country’s economic growth.
Just building houses on our green fields does not resolve the wider problems felt in rural areas. The lack of matching services and facilities means an impossible task for our already stretched councils. So who is going without a school place, a doctor’s surgery or an ambulance when they need it?
A better solution would be to support food farming that is less intensive and sustainable in the long term. Lower chemical use, and cultivating into the old crop so as not to deplete the soil is already bringing better long term yields. It works.
We have fought hard for the EU funds to be brought back to our villages and communities where they are needed. Let’s not lose that under a seemingly green agenda. DEFRA does give a rural focus but should not be isolated.
Understanding the impact of decisions on all our differing communities remains a vital part of all government decisions.
Please join in the consultation and have your say on this and on the changes proposed to the National Planning Policy Framework, the subject of a previous bulletin