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- Written by Judy Hobson
- BBC North West Environment Correspondent
Helen Drinkhall said options for upland farms were limited.
Upland farmers fear their farms will become “stranded” and go out of business due to reduced incomes.
Changes to the subsidy system since Brexit have resulted in a 37% reduction in support for some farms, according to the National Farmers’ Union (NFU).
Helen Drinkhall, a beef and sheep farmer near Chorley, said this meant it was “very difficult to plan, invest and know where to take the business”.
The government has announced it will introduce new options for farmers in the summer.
Most upland farms in the UK are suitable only for cattle and sheep farming and often consist of semi-natural habitats such as rough grasslands, heaths, moors and bogs.
When the UK was a member of the EU, upland farmers were supported by the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), but the Environmental Land Stewardship Scheme (Elms) was introduced in its place to help farmers grow food in a more sustainable way. Farms were offered increased payment rates if they produced and implemented environmental protection schemes.
But Ms Drinkhall said the old payment system was being phased out before the new system was ready, leaving field farms with limited options.
She wants to plant a tree but has been told that her land is not suitable.
She said the future of the farm was “in the hands of the people who are planning it, and that’s pretty scary.”
Thomas Binns welcomed the government’s reconsideration but said details were lacking.
Farmer Thomas Binns, chair of the NFU Highlands Forum in the Ribble Valley, said: “We have been lobbying hard for the last two years not to take away the right to upland farming because it is a bit too difficult to deal with at this stage. “I have done so,” he said.
“While it is good that there are some measures that farmers can assess and incorporate into their future business plans, the big concern is that payments to single farmers under the current system will shift the focus away from productivity. “I think that means a reduction in food production in terms of “environmentally friendly,” he said.
A Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) spokesperson said: “We have just announced the biggest upgrade to our farming programs since leaving the EU, and in many cases we have worked together to increase payment rates for upland farmers.” Stated. Existing contract.
“We will also pay farmers to provide greater flexibility, including new activities to support the management of upland peat and non-peatland soils to increase flood and drought resilience. We have developed a new range of wilderness activities that can be undertaken.
“We remain committed to supporting UK upland farmers and will take on board feedback to ensure our plans work in the best way possible.”
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