Health and Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit Summary of responses September 2018 1 © Crown copyright 2018 You may re-use this information (excluding logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence v.3. To view this licence visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ or email [email protected] This publication is available at www.gov.uk/government/publications Any enquiries regarding this publication should be sent to us at Agriculture Consultation Team 2 Seacole Building 2 Marsham Street London SW1P 4DF Email: [email protected] www.gov.uk/defra 2 Contents Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................ 4 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 9 Number of responses ................................................................................................................ 9 About the respondents ............................................................................................................ 10 Responses by chapter .................................................................................................................. 11 CHAPTER 2. Reform within CAP ............................................................................................ 12 CHAPTER 3. An ‘agricultural transition’ .................................................................................. 18 CHAPTER 4. A successful future for farming ......................................................................... 26 CHAPTER 5. Public money for public goods .......................................................................... 45 CHAPTER 6. Enhancing our environment .............................................................................. 55 CHAPTER 7. Fulfilling our responsibility to animals ............................................................... 64 CHAPTER 8. Supporting rural communities and remote farming ........................................... 76 CHAPTER 9. Changing regulatory culture .............................................................................. 82 CHAPTER 10. Risk management and resilience .................................................................... 89 CHAPTER 11. Protecting crop, tree, plant and bee health ..................................................... 95 CHAPTER 12. Ensuring fairness in the supply chain ........................................................... 104 CHAPTER 13. Devolution: maintaining cohesion and flexibility ............................................ 109 CHAPTER 14. International trade ......................................................................................... 113 CHAPTER 15. Legislation: the Agriculture Bill ...................................................................... 119 Annex A: About the analysis ..................................................................................................... 124 Annex B: Types of responses ................................................................................................... 125 Annex C: Campaign responses ................................................................................................. 128 Annex D: Petitions ...................................................................................................................... 137 Annex E: List of responding organisations ............................................................................. 139 Annex F: Glossary ...................................................................................................................... 159 3 Executive summary 1. From February to May 2018, the government consulted on a range of possible paths to a brighter future for food, farming and the environment in England. At the heart of ‘Health of Harmony: the future for food, farming and the environment in a Green Brexit’ was a proposal to spend public money on public goods – principally, enhancing our environment and protecting our countryside. 2. The consultation generated a huge amount of interest, receiving 43,356 responses and 127,183 signatories across three petitions. This was accompanied by a series of regional events and policy roundtables around England, where we heard the views of over 1,250 land managers and other stakeholders. Our aim was to involve all those interested in farming and the environment: we want to make the right decisions to secure a bright future, producing high quality food from a high quality environment. The government welcomes this overwhelming interest and would like to thank all who contributed. 3. This document summarises the responses to the consultation. Reform within CAP 4. For 45 years agriculture policy in the UK has been determined by the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). However, whilst we are still in the CAP, the government can still improve applicants’ experiences of the CAP and associated schemes. 5. The majority of respondents supported simplifying the current CAP during the last years of our membership. The current process was frequently described as being too complicated with excessive paperwork. Issues with scheme administration and delivery were also mentioned as reasons for wanting a simpler process. 6. On Countryside Stewardship, many respondents believed that making the application process simpler would improve the scheme and increase its appeal to farmers and land managers. Some wanted to see improvements in enforcement, regulation and delivery of payments. A more localised and flexible approach was favoured by several respondents, to allow a greater number of environmental benefits to be met. An ‘agricultural transition’ 7. More respondents preferred applying progressive reductions to Direct Payments through the agricultural transition period, than applying a payment cap. Many suggested that equal percentage reductions should be applied to all applicants. 8. The ‘delinking’ of Direct Payments from land was less popular amongst respondents than retaining and simplifying the existing schemes. Many also wanted to see the continuation of protections which maintain agricultural and environmental best practice. Respondents frequently asked for clarity on future measures. 4 9. There was a wide range of views on the length of the agricultural transition, with 5 years receiving the most support. Many respondents thought the length should be dependent on how and when funding would be made available through new environmental land management (ELM) system. Successful future for farming - Farming excellence and profitability 10. Respondents offered a broad range of views on how we can support our farmers to improve productivity, profitability and performance. Respondents felt that farming businesses in all sectors need greater access to, and uptake of knowledge to be able to adapt to the challenges of the future. This included farmer-to-farmer learning, knowledge sharing initiatives, and a more joined-up skills framework. 11. Respondents told us that existing circumstances may be stopping the farming sector from achieving their full potential. The current tenancy law was thought to limit opportunities in the tenant sector, whilst it was suggested that the availability of land could make it difficult for new, dynamic farmers to get into the industry. Many farmers felt that a combination of uncertainty about the future, low farm profits, and expensive equipment created barriers to investment in their businesses. - Agricultural technology and research 12. Respondents widely supported greater government involvement to boost collaborative and farmer-led research and develop innovative solutions to productivity problems. Key themes raised included environmental performance, soil health, and improved animal health and welfare. - Labour: a skilled workforce 13. The majority of respondents wanted to see the government support the farming workforce by addressing skill gaps in business and financial knowledge. Some respondents wanted more agricultural research skills to be provided. 14. Many respondents supported appropriate immigration measures to make sure that there was adequate access to labour for the industry. Public money for public goods 15. This chapter set out a new direction based on the principles of public money for the provision of public goods. Many respondents thought all environmental outcomes proposed as public goods were linked, with soil and biodiversity forming the foundations. Important non-environmental public goods included: high animal welfare standards; protection of crops, tree, plant and bee health; and preserving rural resilience, traditional farming and landscapes in the uplands. 5 16. Public access was a popular topic of discussion. Many supported the benefits of access, such as improved public health and engagement, however farmers frequently raised concerns about potential damage to their businesses and property. 17. It was felt by many that food and public health should have been included in the list of public goods proposed by the government. Enhancing our environment 18. Respondents felt that any approach to improving the environment should take into account the links between environmental outcomes. The outcomes ranked as the most important included improved soil, water, biodiversity and habitats.