Call for views: leaving the sector and delinked payments
Written by Alastair Walton
We know that some farmers wish to leave the sector but find it hard to for many reasons.
In the Agricultural Transition Plan, we said that we want to offer farmers in England who claim under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) the option to leave the sector with an exit payment.
We plan to allow farmers to apply for this payment in 2022. The lump sum will be in place of any further Direct Payments to the recipient.
By supporting those farmers who wish to leave, the lump sum will make it easier for new entrants who want to join the industry and those farmers who wish to expand their business.
Delinked payments
We also intend to replace the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) with delinked payments in 2024. Payments will be based on a reference period rather than meeting the BPS rules.
When payments are delinked, recipients won’t have to farm the land to receive these payments. These payments will be phased out by the end of 2027.
We want to delink Direct Payments because we think it’ll make life easier for farmers, as well as simplifying the administrative process for the Rural Payments Agency.
Simplifying payments will free up farmers to focus on running their business and delivering the public goods that can be rewarded under our new schemes, including the environmental land management schemes.
Tell us your views
We want to know what you think of our proposed lump sum exit scheme and our planned approach to delinked payments.
From today (19 May 2021) until 11 August 2021, you can let us know your thoughts on how these schemes could run. Share your thoughts by replying to our consultation.
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