AN OSWESTRY-based rural land agent has warmly welcomed the Westminster Government’s announcement to cut red tape for farmers in England as they plan for 2021.

Roger Parry & Partners, in Salop Road, believes farmers in England are set to benefit from a reduced administrative burden next year, as the government plans to end the need to comply with the EU-delivered greening requirements and begin the move towards the new Environmental Land Management scheme.

Clare Williams, associate with rural surveyors, Roger Parry & Partners, said: “We welcome the Environment Secretary, George Eustice’s announcement.

"Anything that reduces the amount of red tape and bureaucracy that farmers face is to be welcomed. These changes will not affect the overall payment received by each farmer as the money will instead be added to farmers’ entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme.

"With the full payment now being based on entitlements and land area it will be more important than ever to ensure you are maximising your claim and that the business is in the best position possible as the new scheme comes into play.”

The agricultural transition period will last for seven years and see direct payments to farmers in England phased out and replaced with a new system that rewards farmers for delivering public goods, such as tree or hedge planting, river management to mitigate flooding and creating or restoring habitats for wildlife.

The new Environmental Land Management scheme is expected to be rolled out in late 2024, and will introduce new ways of working together with farmers to deliver better environmental outcomes and reverse the decline of some of the UK’s most cherished species.

The government will be setting out more detail in the autumn on how it will ensure a smooth transition for farmers, as they move towards the new agricultural system.