THE Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has said that farmers need clarity on the way ahead for future Government policy for agriculture and the farmed environment.

TFA Chief Executive, George Dunn, said “Ever since the result of the June 2016 EU Referendum, we have listened to successive DEFRA Secretaries of State, talking up the opportunities to be grasped for UK agriculture in the post EU world. Although the February 2018 Health and Harmony document set out the semblance of a plan, it feels like we have been marking time ever since. The end of our transitional arrangements with the EU is fast approaching and the Government is keen to move away from the old ways of doing things under the Common Agricultural Policy from early next year. Without a clear plan it’s nigh on impossible for farmers to take the long view.”

“DEFRA had previously indicated that it would set out its plans in July this year, that then moved to September and more recently to November. However now that the Chancellor is limiting his Spending Review to just one year, we worry that the much needed detail of the seven year transitional period for farm policy envisaged by the Government will remain hidden from view,” said Mr Dunn.