The Conservatives are committing to protect funding for British farmers, enabling them to take full advantage of the opportunities of Brexit. In a significant boost to the farming sector across the UK, a Conservative majority government would match the current annual budget available to farmers in every year of the next Parliament. This funding will support farmers as they move away from the EU’s bureaucratic, unfair and environmentally-damaging Common Agricultural Policy.
In England, the CAP will be replaced by new schemes to support farmers in their work to care for the environment, improve animal welfare, and provide other “public goods”. Improvements in productivity and overall sustainability will also be rewarded. A 7-year transition will help ensure farmers have time to plan and adjust. Policies for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be set by the Devolved Administrations.
Ministers are also announcing the Conservatives will use the opportunity of leaving the EU to encourage the public sector to “Buy British”, in recognition of the quality of British food and in order to reduce our carbon footprint.
Local West Dorset candidate, Chris Loder, said:
"Being 4th generation in a family that has farmed in West Dorset for nearly 100 years, this reassuring news on support for farmers is welcome. First and foremost, I believe the democratic will must be delivered on Brexit. Farmers will then be supported through a 7-year transition, with time to plan and adjust; new schemes to match the current annual budget, help on the environment and animal welfare, and a huge push to Buy British - all of this during the lifetime of a Conservative majority government. Voting for me, and for the Conservative Party, in the next General Election will help protect the future of your local farming communities and the sustainability of British farming post-Brexit."
Theresa Villiers, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said:
“Brexit provides a huge opportunity to transform British farming. By leaving the discredited Common Agricultural Policy, we can help British farmers become more productive at the same time as improving our natural environment.
“I am delighted to announce that a Conservative majority government would guarantee to match the current annual budget available to farmers in every year of the next Parliament. This gives farmers across the UK the reassurance they need to plan for the future.
“It’s only by getting Brexit done and that we can create a bright new future for farming. The last thing farmers need is the prolonged uncertainty and chaos of two more referendums under Labour.
“Our new Environmental Land Management system to replace the CAP is a flagship environmental reform which will be crucial in our efforts to reverse the decline of nature and biodiversity and achieving our long term goal to ensure this is the first generation to hand on the natural environment in a better condition than we inherited it. This funding announcement provides a massive step forward in enabling us to deliver this reform successfully.
“But, we can only do any of this if we end the gridlock and deadlock in parliament with a Conservative majority Government.
“That’s why we had no choice but to call this election. And it’s why the choice that people now face as they cast their votes is simple: A Jeremy Corbyn Government that will promise the earth but deliver nothing but more Brexit delay and the chaos of two referendums. Or the Conservatives getting Brexit done, and moving on with other priorities like supporting British farming.”
