Farming community invited to help shape future policies

Farmers are being invited to discuss and share their views on the design of future farming policies.

It comes as the Government launches webinars throughout July, where farmers across England are being asked to help shape the new Environmental Land Management scheme.

Following industry feedback about the disruptions caused to the farming sector during the coronavirus pandemic, the Government halted the national conversation launched by Environment Secretary George Eustice earlier this year at the NFU conference. Now the Government has set up six webinars to give farmers and interested parties in the farming community the opportunity to share their views on the proposed design of three ‘tiers’ of entry, which it’s said would allow farmers and land managers to participate in the new scheme at the appropriate level.

Farming Minister Victoria Prentis said, “I very much look forward to working with farmers and land managers across the country to develop the future scheme and discuss how it will work on the ground.

“Many farmers and land managers are already contributing directly to the co-design of ELM by participating in the ongoing tests and trials and they’re doing great work to explore how the building blocks of the future scheme are put together.

“This conversation is a chance for farmers and land managers to have their say and help shape our future approach to farming alongside caring for the environment. I would encourage all those interested to sign up to an event and have their voice heard.

Defra’s policy document has been available online for review since its launch in February. Those that have already submitted a response can still review or reconsider this, and resubmit their response before the next deadline of 31st July 2020.

Those interested in attending the online webinars can sign up through Eventbrite, and follow Defra on Facebook for links to the online events. Upcoming dates include 1st, 7th, 16th, 23rd, 28th and 30th July. Those who are unable to are invited to respond through a policy discussion document on Citizen Space.