MP backs NFU call for Government rethink over changes to farmers payments

South Lakes MP and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Hill Farming Tim Farron is backing calls from the National Farmers' Union (NFU) to rethink plans to farmers' incomes.

The Government's Agriculture Bill would see direct payments cut over a seven-year 'agricultural transition', which is due to begin in 2021 and end in 2027.

The Bill which completed its 'report stage' in the House of Commons in November last year, has been on pause while the Government continues with efforts to pass the Prime Minister's Brexit divorce deal.

This week, the NFU's Brexit director, Nick von Westenholz, said that the timeline for phasing out the payments may no longer be realistic given the Bill's hold-up

Tim said: "Direct payments are a lifeline for many farmers and removing them would be a body blow to the industry.

"There's already a huge amount of crippling uncertainty caused by the possibility of a no deal Brexit, but these plans look likely to lead to a slow attrition of family farming in places like Cumbria.

"It is absolutely right for the NFU to be calling for the Government to think again."