MP demands DEFRA Secretary halts cuts to Cumbrian farmers

On the floor of the House of Commons this morning, Cumbrian MP Tim Farron urged the DEFRA Secretary to pause the phasing out of basic payments for farmers to stop them going out of business this winter.

Tim also asked for the Secretary of State to meet with Baroness Rock to discuss her recent review which has recommended more support for tenant farmers.

Speaking during DEFRA Oral Questions in Parliament, Tim said: "We will produce less food if we have fewer farmers.

"In just a few weeks' time, the Government plan to take 20% of the basic payment away from farmers, at the same time that barely 2% have got themselves into the new sustainable farming incentive.

"Will the Secretary of State consider delaying the reduction in the basic payment scheme to keep farmers farming while she sorts out the mess in her Department on the environmental land management schemes?

"Will she also meet Baroness Rock at the earliest opportunity to discuss her important tenant review?"

Responding, DEFRA Secretary Thérèse Coffey said: "It has been well trailed for several years that we will shift from the EU common agricultural policy for distributing money to our farmers and landowners to using public money for public goods.

"That is why we have been working on the environmental land management schemes and will continue to make sure we get them right. We will make further announcements in due course."

Speaking afterwards, Tim said: "The minister's woeful reply shows that the Government has their fingers in their ear when it comes to the plight of Cumbrian farmers.

"Moving to a new system where farmers are rewarded for the environmental work they do is undoubtedly a good thing - but not if the Government botch up the transition and farms are forced to go out of business in the process."