By Chathushka Perera
LONDON, UK (CWBN)_ For the first time in fifty years, the British government will be fundamentally shifting its agricultural policies in a bid to achieve sustainability and counter the rapidly progressing issue of climate change, while reflecting on the effects of Brexit.
EU subsidies available to local farmers will be gradually cut down and replaced a new system referred to as Environment Land Management (ELM), which is due to take effect by the end of this year. It would likely be abolished by 2028, as per a government document.
According to the government, it would free local farmers from “constraints” of the EU subsidies, which are also accused of giving the benefits of subsidies to the wealthiest in the industry. Under this system farmers were paid based on how much land was farmed.
Rather the ELM system is expected to pay English landowners directly for their contributions toward the government’s climate change policy.
This would include the preservation of forest areas, meadows and wetlands, supporting wildlife, reducing dependence on animal husbandry, taking steps to deter flooding, etc.
In addition, the government would also be setting up an investment fund to support farmers to get access to new equipment, including robotics and infrastructural developments. Meanwhile, basic farming activities will be rewarded under the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) programme, including soil conservation.
However, it has been reported that the National Farmers Union has requested the government to lower the scope of the ELM’s climate change objectives, while others have criticised its lack of clarity.
The ELM would apply only to English farmers, whereas those in Wales, Scotland and North Ireland have produced their own schemes.
Edited by Elishya Perera
