Earlier this week, the Chancellor has confirmed that nearly £3 billion of funding for 2020 will be available to support farmers once the UK leaves the EU. This cash injection will maintain the level of funding for Direct Payments at the same rate as last year.

Sajid Javid (Chancellor) has confirmed the cash will be used to support farmers once the UK leaves the EU. The UK will leave the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Direct Payments scheme, which supports farmers across Europe with subsidies in 2020. This will be replaced by a new system based on public money for public goods. This cash injection will allow the funding for Direct Payments for 2020 to continue at the same level as 2019 and supplement the remaining EU funding that farmers will receive for development projects until 2023 at the latest.

This welcomed start to the new year will provide certainty for farmers, with some confidence for the year ahead giving a positive outlook for the agricultural and rural communities following Brexit.

Plans are being discussed for a for a fairer funding system – one that rewards farmers, enhances the environment and safeguards high animal welfare standards. Our government plans for our farmers to get a better deal. The proposal for the funding is for this to be spread across two financial years. With DEFRA receiving £1,751 million in 2020/21 and £92 million in 2021/2022.