National Trust’s vision for farm support a ‘huge mistake’

Criticism is growing of the National Trust’s call for direct payments to be scrapped and replaced by a post-Brexit agricultural policy that prioritises the environment.

The Tenant Farmers Association (TFA) has become the latest farming group to question the trust’s vision, arguing it would be a “huge mistake” to only focus on domestic environmental outcomes as it would be like a “one-legged stool”.

TFA chief executive George Dunn said about one-third of the current annual budget spent through the CAP should be earmarked for a brand-new, outcome-focused agri-environment scheme. However, this was only one part of what was required.

See also: National Trust demands an end to direct farm subsidies

“We are concerned by the trust’s vision for a policy that sets solely environmental objectives,” he said.

Profitability is crucial

“Only a profitable farming sector present throughout our countryside will ensure we have the people, the resource and the experience to deliver the environmental improvements the trust rightly seeks to achieve.

“Society will benefit if farmers can run viable businesses in all parts of our countryside and we all suffer if they are cast adrift on the rough seas of the world economy.”

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) agreed a profitable farming sector was needed for farmers to be in a position to deliver environmental improvements.

Support for productive farming

CLA president Ross Murray said the policy that replaced the CAP must provide support for productive farming.

“It must be a policy that keeps farmers in business in the tough periods like the one we are experiencing right now. This has to be a fundamental part of the policy – not just for a transitional period, but in the long term.”

NFU Cymru echoed the strong line taken by the NFU in an earlier statement, challenging the trust for trying to paint a picture of a damaged countryside, which was not one the union recognised.

But union president Stephen James added: “We should not be contemplating doing anything that will undermine Welsh farming’s competitiveness or its ability to produce food. To do so would risk exporting food production out of Wales and for Wales to be a nation which relies even further on imports to feed itself.

“In our view, food security should be considered to be a legitimate political goal and public good.”

Industry bodies continue to formulate their own ideas for what policy should replace the CAP when the UK does leave Europe.

Way forward after Brexit

Representatives from a range of groups involved in the livestock sector attended a meeting on 4 August to discuss the way forward.

The meeting involved the TFA, Livestock Auctioneers Association, Farmers Union of Wales, National Beef Association, National Sheep Association, Scottish Beef Association, NFU Scotland and the Institute of Auctioneers and Appraisers in Scotland.

The group has agreed to work together so issues can be discussed with the government in a united way.