Report

Agriculture after Brexit

This report from UK think tank the Institute for Government looks at the government’s plans to redirect its £2.4bn budget away from payments.

By setting high expectations for post-Brexit agricultural support, the government risks its reforms being seen as a failure by some (if not all) of farmers, environmentalists, taxpayers and consumers. This report analyses the government’s bold plans to redirect its £2.4 billion agriculture budget away from payments for farming land towards money for delivering predominantly environmental improvements – a clear example of the government’s wish to do things differently after Brexit and improve on the much-criticised EU Common Agricultural Policy. However, ministers have deferred difficult decisions like making clear what farmers will be expected to do and how much they will be paid in return. Four big problems need tackling if the government is to make a success of its landmark agricultural support reforms.