Briefing Beyond 2020 New farm policy Photo: flickr.com/photos/tomaskohl Photo:

principle of public benefits for public would be extra capital and short term Summary investment. It should deliver diversity infrastructure support with specific in production and farming and be help for smaller businesses, and a Sustain presents principles and underpinned by effective regulatory new publicly funded programme of policies that would deliver better and enforcement systems, based low cost advice and support for a food and farming when we leave on the precautionary principle, to farmer-to-farmer advisory network. the European Common protect people, the rural economy, Policy. We believe that a focus environment and livestock. UK The wider policy framework on high volume, low standard trade deals must not undermine needs to be reformed. This includes: production is wrong for the UK the delivery of this vision in each maintaining and enhancing land farming industry. Nor do we want devolved administration and should based regulations to prevent harm; a a relaxation in standards as the enable other countries to deliver strengthened and extended Groceries political trade-off for cuts in farm their own food sovereignty. Code Adjudicator to protect farmers support. from unfair trading practices and The policies we propose would policies to encourage retail diversity; Instead, new devolved farm policy include a new, universally available maintaining the organic legal should be based on a strong Land Management Support scheme standards; new labelling regulations commitment, supported by the with three elements: a menu of to ensure consumers drive up taxpayer and a well regulated outcomes; an organic scheme; and demand for food based on higher market, for sustainable, resilient, a whole-farm scheme. Specific LMS standards; reforms to the tenancy nature friendly farming that can strands would be available to boost: rules; strong labour regulations to deliver healthy diets for all, ensure agro-forestry; horticulture; new value farm workers and enhance safe food and high animal welfare entrants and succession planning. employment and reemployment; high and which minimises negative global There is a strong case for front public procurement standards and impacts. Financial and other support loading and / or capping payments delivery; and trade policies which must be targeted and based on the to use the support wisely. There promote these commitments. 2 Briefing - Beyond 2020 - New farm policy

Introduction A new farm and land use policy

This briefing has been developed Brexit presents the opportunity 2. Ongoing support for farming in consultation with working party but the need for change is clear. and sustainable land management members drawn from the Sustain There is ample evidence that for i.e. maintain a support level (such membership1 and forms part of the UK, policy needs to do more as the £3billion currently spent a wider Sustain programme on to ensure UK farmers can deliver overall), set as required, to ensure Brexit to deliver high standards for a sustainable, healthy, ethical food sustainable land use and protection food, farming and fishing (including system for UK citizens.2 We know of our environment, food security, supporting a Policy Commission and our farm and food system is broken: rural economy, the diversity of size promoting new legal frameworks). from adverse public health impacts, and type of farms and a ladder for It summarises the principles and lost farmland wildlife and diversity, those who want to enter this industry. policies needed to deliver better to farm income crises, animal health It should be sufficient to do this and farming in the UK (not including and welfare problems, rapid decline provide an emergency safety net for land based aquaculture). These are in smaller and family farms, and extreme hardship only.4 proposed as a contribution to the damage to the global environment. debate on policy after 2020 when As we leave today’s European 3. Application of the public money the current European schemes and designed system, so we should now for public good (or benefit) regulatory frameworks are due to take the chance to fix it. principle.5 This must be carefully end. defined and applied fairly to avoid We believe the following principles commodification of nature and This briefing refers mainly to should underpin future farm policy: unintended consequences such as agriculture policy in England though some goods or land types being many of the principles proposed 1. A clear commitment to fair, neglected by both public policy are common across the UK. In healthy, humane and environmentally and the market. Key to this will be terms of the devolved nations, there sustainable food, farming, fishing rewarding farmers for adopting should be no top-down UK policy. and land management for the and maintaining agro-ecological Agriculture should continue to be UK after withdrawal from the EU, approaches (including organic fully devolved when we leave the EU. establishing agroecology as the and agroforestry), resource (soil, The nations could and should agree underlying principle of farming. water) protection, public access, a consensual framework which Any changes to the fiscal support maintaining and enhancing nature maintains UK-wide structures where and regulatory regime must and biodiversity, conserving needed. contribute to environmental, social landscapes, High Nature Value and public health goals3 including farming6 and heritage features, high carbon reduction, biodiversity, animal welfare and in ensuring a rural livelihoods, and a reduction in supply of sustainable healthy food obesity (estimated to cost the NHS where not supported by the market. £4bn). It should include delivering on the industry commitment to reduce GHG emissions from agriculture by at least 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year (3MtCO2e) by 3 For instance via (a) targeting support to 2022, climate adaptation, as well domestic supply of healthy foods including fresh fruit and vegetables to address the as priorities such as the National huge trade gap and replace unhealthy Pollinator Strategies. 1 Sustain is an alliance of around 100 foods such as sugar and processed meat national public interest organisations products; (b) Reducing the amount of working at international, national, regional sugar produced for consumption to match and local level for better food and farming. recommended levels of consumption of It advocates food and agriculture policies refined sugars, which contribute to dental and practices that enhance the health and decay and dietary diseases such as welfare of people and animals, improve obesity and diabetes; and (c) recognition 5 A ‘public good’ is a product that one the working and living environment, enrich and reward of wider benefits of farm individual can consume without reducing society and culture and promote equity. related environment for public physical and its availability to another individual, and https://www.sustainweb.org/membership/ mental health and well-being. from which no one is excluded. We want to ensure a healthy and sustainably produced 2 For example see State Of nature 4 The call for crop insurance programmes food supply as a public good, where 2016, https://ww2.rspb.org.uk/our-work/ similar to those in the US or Canada is markets fail and rural vitality based on stateofnature2016/ or SNH Agroecology understandable but research consistently sustainable development. report http://www.snh.gov.uk/ shows they are expensive and lead to land-and-sea/managing-the-land/farming- growth in risky farming practices and 6 Low-intensity farming systems /lupg/agroecology/http://www. negative environmental impacts. Schemes particularly valuable for wildlife and risefoundation.eu/images/files/2017/2017_ may help prevent rural jobs losses but are natural environment. See http://www. RISE_CAP_Summary.pdf unlikely to lead to additional jobs. highnaturevaluefarming.org.uk/ Briefing - Beyond 2020 - New farm policy 3

4. A focus on targeting support 6. Maintenance and enhancement 8. Trade deals shaped by people’s to ensure money goes where it is of standards and regulations needs not those of corporations and really needed and recognising larger including food safety, organic which allow countries to maintain farms gain economies of scale so standards, , environment, and enhance standards and ensure may need less support to deliver nature, employment, geographic farmers are not competing with the same outcomes. Aid could be indicators, and animal welfare. This producers using lower standards. provided to enable diversification should include a commitment to We must not weaken food standards in production and the transition fully implementing the precautionary or protection to get favourable deals towards livelihoods and employment principle and hazard based as part of a bargaining chip in trade in healthier, sustainably grown or approaches and responding to negotiations which could result in reared produce (and away from external markets e.g. changing costly food crises, contamination, current levels of, for example, sugar European regulations. Policies threats to public health and potential beet, and intensively reared industrial should ensure supply chains become for lost markets and trust. We must meat) as appropriate. Adequate funds shorter and less complex reducing use trade impact assessments to must be available for monitoring and the risk of food fraud, hygiene risks ensure deals do not harm developing compliance verification to ensure and contamination. countries. value for money. 7. Solidarity with the global south 5. Protection and enhancement of – we must commit to reduce the farm diversity – the mosaic of UK adverse impact of UK farm and farming – is so vital for protecting trade policy and practice on supply landscapes and natural resources chains in the global south (small as well as rural economies and scale, agro-ecological, focussed communities. The small and on domestic markets and strong medium, family farm and mixed worker welfare) and change those farm – which provide specific and policies and practices which harm often unrecognised environmental biodiversity or contribute to climate and social benefits – need specific change, hurting the poorest most. policies to survive in a more liberalised market and deliver for a more diverse domestic and local marketplace. 4 Briefing - Beyond 2020 - New farm policy

Farm policy from 2020 onward

The following three-part structure A. Land Management Whilst not universally agreed, there is proposed as a system of support Support (LMS) is a strong case for tapering or to replace the Common Agricultural capping of such a universal scheme Policy (CAP) and as part of a A three pronged scheme covering with measures to avoid legal dodges. wider policy framework to ensure both outcome-based and systemic This would recognise the economies market failures are avoided. It delivery approaches which would be of scale for larger businesses assumes that the government will government-run i.e. it would be based and ensure that the money is not phase-out the current system of on a contract between the farmer and swallowed up by the largest farmers direct payments (including large the government, and well-established and land managers. Schemes may scale Bioenergy schemes), and and independent assurance involve specific costs or income provide short term transitional schemes could provide compliance foregone, but this can be more easily support where proven critical administration: managed in larger businesses. The to avoid a cliff edge for farmers. level of front loading could ensure The governance and monitoring 1. A menu or points and the majority or costs/losses incurred structures – such as national versus outcome-based scheme, are covered and encourage uptake local decision making, monitoring delivering public good outcomes. for smaller sized farms. compliance, allocation of resources This would be available and and prioritisation – needs urgent but accessible to all farmers and direct Specific LMS strands would exist for: careful work and we would welcome land managers above 1 hectare ideas and will facilitate debate on and would mostly be multi-annual.7 • Agro-forestry – loans or grants these issues. All payments would be for specific to support new tree planting to outcomes such as nature; carbon; enhance yields, farm profitability water; flooding management; soil; and resilience and on-going landscape; historical features; high maintenance covered by LMS. animal welfare; GHG reduction; This would deliver additional rural regeneration. Lessons on environmental goods such efficacy and implementation can as reducing soil erosion and be learnt from existing schemes enhancing on-farm biodiversity, and pilots and a specific scheme including pollinators. should be delivered for statutorily protected features (SSSIs and • Horticulture – specific loans SAMs) to support their high level or grants available to support management. and maintain new UK based assessment tools or similar could sustainable horticulture be used to identify priorities on enterprise and diversification into individual farms leading to farm horticulture, to reduce the huge specific agreements to get the trade gap and loss of UK capacity, greatest level of sustainability so create employment, improve improvements. wages and skills, marketing, processing and enhance 2. A systemic scheme for organic – home-grown nutrition. an improved and expanded version of the current system for organic • New entrants and succession conversion and maintenance support – specific short term payments – developed in support (loans, grants) for new partnership with farmers, organic entrants in recognition of the 7 The current 5 hectare limit unnecessarily certification bodies and other need for new entrepreneurs, and excludes many small-scale enterprises stakeholders.8 difficulty in finding information, 8 is different from land, housing and credit. other assurance schemes because it 3. Development of a wider Systemic Additional measures may be already functions as a gateway to farm Whole Farm payment scheme – needed to encourage succession payments. Three key factors legitimise for other whole farm approaches, in favour of the coming generation. this arrangement: longstanding, independent and robust scientific where based on standards that are evidence demonstrating the delivery of demonstrably above baseline, and environmental and public benefits; the which are verifiable e.g. assurance requirement of a detailed auditing process; schemes with accountable and the underpinning of the standards in legislation - currently the EU Organic standards driven by sustainability Regulation. principles and outcome measures. Briefing - Beyond 2020 - New farm policy 5

Crucial wider policy framework

B. Sustainable businesses and Delivering coherent land • Labelling – introduction of rural development support management and sustainable mandatory method of production farming requires more than the labelling which would provide We should provide support new farm policy outlined above. citizens with accurate farm system for demonstrably sustainable It demands a combination of information to help safeguard the businesses such as marketing hubs protective regulations, the right future of high standard farming. or micro-processing units e.g. capital support system, new and accessible Initial implementation, with grants and maintenance, farmer advice, a strong research base to outcome based assessments, in innovation, facilitation funds for support new farming; and supportive the meat and dairy sector would setting up cooperatives via capital public procurement and trading help drive up standards.10 grants, loans, and business advice. approaches. Special funds would be ring fenced • Tenancy reform – explore new for small/medium scale regional measures for longer and more and local businesses for processing Standards and Regulation sustainable farm tenancies11 and supply chain innovation for to help tenant farmers’ longer sustainability. • Strong land based regulatory term planning, to encourage framework – underpinning agroforestry, and help new farm support based on the entrants into farming. C. Free advice and supporting polluter pays principle and given farmer to farmer advisory adequate verification systems and • Taxation Fiscal approaches networks enforcement powers. to incentivise or de-incentivise certain practices should be This would be core to delivering • Supply chain regulation – to explored. effective businesses, innovation, ensure markets better support climate goals, agri-environment viable farming we propose the outcomes, organic conversion and continuation of the Groceries Research and Development farming advice, pollinator protection, Code Adjudicator (GCA), which integrated pest management and regulates supermarkets behaviour • A new Research and farm diversification. We need with suppliers. We also support development strategy should diversity in delivery and funding the extension of the Groceries replace the current agri-tech should be available to support Supply Code of Practice (GSCoP) strategy to support the new LMS farmer-to-farmer advice and and GCA’s remit to promote fairer approach and provide primary and demonstration and new training trading practices by all players in applied science to support the schemes. the supply chain not just the big needs of agro-ecological farming. 8 retailers.9 The current review We should allocate a proportion of of the GSCoP and GCA must the current R&D budget to farmer be used as a key opportunity to led innovation. ensure that risks and costs are shared fairly along supply chains rather than dumped on small producers. Farmers need to get a fairer share of the price paid at the checkout so we also support other ways, such as local competition and planning rules to achieve a fairer system including more diverse and community-led retail.

• Organic – We need to maintain 9 Our submission is available. The BEIS the legal base for organic Review is here - https://www.gov.uk/ standards, ensuring alignment government/consultations/groceries-code- adjudicator-extending-its-remit with the EU organic regulation and set targets and government 10 See http://www.labellingmatters.org/ for policies in a coherent Action Plan work on livestock labelling to expand organic production and 11 http://www.tfa.org.uk/tfa-media-release- marketing. 1705-tfa-calls-on-the-chancellor-to-use- fiscal-levers-to-achieve-longer-term-farm- tenancies/ 6 Briefing - Beyond 2020 - New farm policy

Protecting Workers Food Procurement Better Trade

• Labour standards and • Public sector procurement • Trade deals should strengthen availability – valuing farm standards for schools, services delivery of high standards of workers is key and all workers and hospitals should specify production. Government must should be paid the Living Wage12 healthy and sustainability criteria insist on the inclusion of a clause as a minimum. We need a new (e.g. Eatwell Guide), the use of in trade deals to require imports agricultural worker collective high standard UK farm produce to meet UK production standards, bargaining body for England and a and attract greater budgets in for example, on animal health reversal of the cuts in enforcement recognition of the public benefits and welfare, farm antibiotic agencies13 which protect gained. use, pesticide controls, whilst workers from abuse. We must also having the ability to apply ensure access to seasonal farm • Local programmes to support differential tariffs on products workers, and strong regulation farmers to meet public sector produced to lower standards or of gang-masters through requirements, and help with to prohibit unacceptable sources enforcement. the tendering process, would of goods such as soy or palm oil also be needed. Such support from deforested areas. • Market regulation and changes was common in the 2000s to taxation and trade policy following recommendations of • We should be demanding must prioritise ensuring livelihoods the Curry Commission,14 but mandatory method of and jobs in farming and largely disappeared as Regional production labelling for the community food businesses so Development Agencies were food trade to drive up health, they can afford to pay real living replaced with Local Enterprise livestock, environment and labour wages both to themselves and Partnerships. standards. Imports that do not their employees. conform would be subject to • Measures to shift the public to tariffs that are sufficiently high to • Prioritise redeployment more sustainable diets will be safeguard UK farmers; imports schemes – Where jobs are needed.15 that meet UK standards would in sectors diminishing due to benefit from a low or zero tariff. de-emphasis in national policy support (such as in nutritionally • Impact assessments – Any trade undesirable, high sugar, fatty, deals between UK and other salty food, processed meat, etc.), developed countries must be greater automation, or for certain assessed on the impact that they farming systems, just transition may have on developing countries. and diversification plans for redeployment are vital.

12 http://www.livingwage.org.uk/what-is-the- living-wage 13 Including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the work related health regulator; Her Majesties Revenue and Customs overseeing income legislation and National Minimum Wage (HMRC); the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLLA) which investigates labour abuse and exploitation across all aspects of the UK labour market; and Employment Agency Standards Inspectorate. 14 http://webarchive.nationalarchives. gov.uk/20100807034701/http:/archive. cabinetoffice.gov.uk/farming/pdf/ PC%20Report2.pdf 15 Some are outlined here http://www. eating-better.org/uploads/Documents/ EB_policybriefing_2016.pdf 7

What needs to happen next

Our diverse membership – which includes UK farmer, worker, environmental, development, consumer and public health organisations – is clear that the above principles should be paramount in reform discussions and present these policy ideas as the basis for debate. We also propose:

1. Pilots to test any new universal system of farm support before implementation after 2020.

2. Stakeholder and public discussions – as near to communities as possible to facilitate engagement by all stakeholders not just those with time and resources to leave work, discussing what is meant by public goods, and testing various scenarios for acceptability and views on whether these would achieve desired outcomes.

3. An adequate period of review which allows stakeholders to comment and a transparent and accountable process for taking views into account, with government publishing a report on how it has listened and used stakeholder insights to shape policy.

Contact: Vicki Hird [email protected] Coordinator of the Sustainable Farming Campaign for Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming.

See Sustain’s website for more information on our work:

• Farming - www.sustainweb.org/foodandfarmingpolicy • Brexit - www.sustainweb.org/brexit Briefing Beyond 2020 New farm policy

A Sustain publication May 2017

Sustain: The alliance for better food and farming, advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the living and working environment, enrich society and culture, and promote equity. It represents around 100 national public interest organisations working at international, national, regional and local level.

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