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1484767
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date remove maximum value filtermore like thismore than 2022-06-29
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to the answer of 26 April to question 9907, what estimate he has made of the value of payments in excess (a) £100,000 (b) £200,000 (c) £250,000 (d) £500,000 in Basic Payments in (i) 2022, (ii) 2023, (iii) 2024, (iv) 2025, (v) 2026 and (vi) 2027. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 27633 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-07-05more like thismore than 2022-07-05
star this property answer text <p>We have estimated the value of payments based on 2021 but have adjusted by an additional 15% Progressive reduction each year.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p><strong>2022</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2023</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2024</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>between £100,000 and £200,000</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>£148,141,196</p></td><td><p>£91,463,336</p></td><td><p>£49,116,903</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>between £200,000 and £250,000</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>£23,729,115</p></td><td><p>£14,170,641</p></td><td><p>£6,210,273</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>between £250,000 and £500,000</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>£31,611,515</p></td><td><p>£16,378,597</p></td><td><p>£11,097,775</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>greater than £500,000</strong></p></td><td><p> </p></td><td><p>£18,686,508</p></td><td><p>£13,096,347</p></td><td><p>£5,456,333</p></td><td><p> </p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>These estimates take account of the progressive reductions that we intend to apply to the payments, as announced in our Agricultural Transition Plan in 2020.</p><p> </p><p>We have not provided estimates for years 2025 to 2027 as the Government has not yet announced the progressive reductions which will be applied to Direct Payments in those years as we continue to phase the payments out.</p><p> </p><p>Money saved by Direct Payment reductions will be directly re-invested into English agriculture through our new schemes. These include our new environmental land management schemes as well as grants to enable farmers to invest in equipment, technology, and infrastructure. These will improve efficiency and productivity while also benefiting the climate and environment.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-07-05T15:02:32.59Zmore like thismore than 2022-07-05T15:02:32.59Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1473084
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-06-24more like thismore than 2022-06-24
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how many and what proportion of direct payments made to farmers were (a) less than £30,000, (b) £30,001 to £50,000, (c) £50,001 to £150,000 and (d) more than £150,000 in the most recent financial year for which information is available. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 24606 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-07-01more like thismore than 2022-07-01
star this property answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>Direct payments in England are made to farmers through the Basic Payment Scheme, which is administered by the Rural Payments Agency (RPA). The scheme runs on the calendar year, but the figures provided cover all payments released by RPA in the 2021/22 financial year, irrespective of which scheme year they relate to.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Grouping (£)</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>21-22 Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>% Proportion by Volume</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>£0&gt;=£30,000</p></td><td><p>68,482</p></td><td><p>81.15%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>£30,001&gt;=£50,000</p></td><td><p>8,186</p></td><td><p>9.70%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>£50,001&gt;=£150,000</p></td><td><p>6,971</p></td><td><p>8.26%</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>&gt;£150,000</p></td><td><p>746</p></td><td><p>0.88%</p></td></tr></tbody></table> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-07-01T13:42:57.773Zmore like thismore than 2022-07-01T13:42:57.773Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1473086
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-06-24more like thismore than 2022-06-24
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, how much funding his Department paid to farmers in (a) direct payments, (b) Countryside Stewardship funding, (c) Environmental Stewardship Scheme funding, (d) other payments and (e) in total in the financial years (i) 2020-21 and (ii) 2021-22. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 24607 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-07-12more like thismore than 2022-07-12
star this property answer text <p>This is a devolved matter and the information provided therefore relates to England only.</p><p> </p><p>Direct payments in England are made through the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS). Payments under BPS, as well as Countryside Stewardship and Environmental Stewardship, are based on the calendar year. The figures provided relate to payments released within the specified financial years irrespective of the scheme year to which individual payments are related. They only cover payments that are provided to farmers by the Rural Payment Agency.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Total Funding</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2020-21 Financial Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2021-22 Financial Year</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Direct Payments (BPS)</p></td><td><p>£1,832,933,680</p></td><td><p>£1,649,698,145</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Countryside Stewardship</p></td><td><p>£190,633,860</p></td><td><p>£275,940,285</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Environmental Stewardship</p></td><td><p>£148,607,064</p></td><td><p>£151,436,091</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Other Payments</p></td><td><p>£75,390,708</p></td><td><p>£75,406,300</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Total</p></td><td><p>£2,247,565,312</p></td><td><p>£2,152,480,821</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p> </p><p>We will present and publish a retrospective view of the financial assistance provided through all of our schemes under the Agriculture Act 2020 by 1 October each year, covering the previous financial year as required under the Agriculture Act 2020. We have committed that the total level of investment will be at around £2.4bn a year across the parliament.</p><p> </p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-07-12T08:24:57.047Zmore like thismore than 2022-07-12T08:24:57.047Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1469893
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-06-13more like thismore than 2022-06-13
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether his Department has removed the requirement to be an active farmer to claim funding from the Basic Payment Scheme. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Westmorland and Lonsdale more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Tim Farron more like this
star this property uin 16905 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-21more like thismore than 2022-06-21
star this property answer text <p>You must be a farmer to claim under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and must have land ‘at your disposal’. This means, for example, that where land is let under a Farm Business Tenancy, it is the tenant and not the landlord who can use that land to claim BPS.</p><p> </p><p>Previously the BPS rules included an active farmer test. We removed this in 2018 because it was ineffective and created unnecessary confusion for farmers.</p><p> </p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-21T15:05:33.683Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-21T15:05:33.683Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
1591
star this property label Biography information for Tim Farron more like this
1467422
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-06-01more like thismore than 2022-06-01
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to increase the level of support to British farmers to grow food crops in the context of the global food security situation. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Windsor more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Adam Afriyie more like this
star this property uin 11633 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-20more like thismore than 2022-06-20
star this property answer text <p>This Government will maintain the total investment in the farming sector throughout this parliament. In England, the budget of £2.4 billion per year is being re-purposed in a way that will support farmer’s resilience and food security for years to come.</p><p> </p><p>By gradually phasing out the untargeted Basic Payments of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, and replacing them with a flexible range of targeted grants and ongoing payments for farmers, we are increasing the level of support available for delivering on the priorities of farm productivity, environment, climate and animal health and welfare. All the money coming out of Basic Payment Scheme will go back into the sector each year, there will be no gap in investment.</p><p> </p><p>We are not fixing allocations of ring-fenced money for schemes, as happened under the EU, but will learn and respond to demand and developments from the sector – keeping the spread of investment under review over time.</p><p> </p><p>We have already seen uptake and enthusiasm from farmers in certain areas and have been able to adapt flexibly to this demand. For example, the budget for the new Farming Equipment and Technology fund was increased to account for high demand. As a result, more than 4,000 farmers can invest in new equipment and technology, supporting and improving domestic food production.</p><p> </p><p>Defra has recently released further information on the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) - designed to help farmers move to new alternative sustainable farming methods gradually, improving environmental conditions of the land, whilst building the long-term resilience of our food security and production.</p><p> </p><p>The SFI is one of three new schemes under Environmental Land Management which will maintain productive land, delivering for both farmers and the environment.</p><p> </p><p>Our schemes will ensure our long-term food security by investing in the foundations of food production: healthy soil; water; and biodiverse ecosystems.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to monitor the wider context of global supplies that we know can impact farm income and productivity, as well as food security. The Secretary of State recently announced several other measures to support our farmers in the current uncertainty, notably regarding the use of urea fertiliser - helping farmers manage their costs better, as well as improving the statutory guidance for the use of slurry.</p><p> </p><p>I recently launched and chaired the first session of a new industry fertiliser roundtable, aiming to work through issues regarding slurry to develop our understanding of current pressures on farmers and identify solutions. The Fertiliser Taskforce is just one example of where the Government is working with closely with industry to improve market confidence - providing farmers with the information needed to make business decisions, in these challenging times.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-20T08:22:54.183Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-20T08:22:54.183Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
1586
star this property label Biography information for Adam Afriyie more like this
1466384
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-05-26more like thismore than 2022-05-26
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, where the funds removed from the basic payment scheme in (a) 2021 and (b) 2022 were reallocated. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 9903 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-06more like thismore than 2022-06-06
star this property answer text <p>Defra reports expenditure under agricultural support schemes by financial year rather than calendar year.</p><p> </p><p>The Department, as required by section 5 of chapter 1 of the Agriculture Act 2020, will prepare an annual report about the financial assistance given during each financial year, starting with financial year 2021-22. The first report will be laid before Parliament and published before 1 October 2022. It will contain details of where funds freed up from BPS have been spent.</p><p> </p><p>We will have the same requirement in 2022-23, where the reduction in basic payments will enable the launch of the Sustainable Farming Incentive in June 2022, an increase of Countryside Stewardship payment rates and a rise in demand for the scheme from farmers, and the continued rollout of other schemes to improve prosperity and reward environmental delivery including forthcoming grants for slurry stores.</p> more like this
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-06T15:44:57.477Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-06T15:44:57.477Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1466385
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-05-26more like thismore than 2022-05-26
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will provide details of his Department's expenditure on all agricultural support schemes in (a) 2020, (b) 2021 and (c) 2022. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 9904 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-13more like thismore than 2022-06-13
star this property answer text <p>We have committed to maintain the farming budget for England at £2.4 billion for every year of this parliament. We are repurposing that budget to better support our farmers, but the amount spent will be the same.</p><p>Spend for the financial year 2020-21 is summarised in the table below against the buckets of spend outlined in the Agricultural Transition Plan, published in November 2020.</p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Scheme costs £m</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>20/21</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Direct Payments</p></td><td><p>1,873</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Environmental and animal welfare outcomes</p></td><td><p>457</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>Improving farm prosperity</p></td><td><p>120</p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>Total scheme costs</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2,450</strong></p></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Department, as required by section 5 of chapter 1 of the Agriculture Act 2020, will prepare an annual report about the financial assistance given during each financial year, starting with financial year 2021-22. The first report will be laid before Parliament and published before 1 October 2022.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-13T17:08:52.4Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-13T17:08:52.4Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1466445
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-05-26more like thismore than 2022-05-26
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what estimate he has made of the number of businesses expected to receive over (a) £100,000 (b) £200,000 (c) £250,000 and (d) £500,000 in Basic Payments in (i) 2022, (ii) 2023, (iii) 2024, (iv) 2025, (v) 2026 and (vi) 2027. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Cambridge more like this
star this property tabling member printed
Daniel Zeichner more like this
star this property uin 9907 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-13more like thismore than 2022-06-13
star this property answer text <p>We have estimated the number of farm business in England which could receive Direct Payments above the specified amounts as follows:</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td rowspan="2"><p><strong>Payment amount</strong></p></td><td colspan="3"><p><strong>Number of farm businesses by scheme year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong> </strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p><strong>2022</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2023</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>2024</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More than £100,000</p></td><td><p>1,136</p></td><td><p>701</p></td><td><p>375</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More than £200,000</p></td><td><p>107</p></td><td><p>63</p></td><td><p>29</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More than £250,000</p></td><td><p>99</p></td><td><p>52</p></td><td><p>32</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>More than £500,000</p></td><td><p>23</p></td><td><p>18</p></td><td><p>7</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>These estimates take account of the progressive reductions that we intend to apply to the payments, as announced in our Agricultural Transition Plan in 2020.</p><p> </p><p>We have not provided estimates for years 2025 to 2027 as the Government has not yet announced the progressive reductions which will be applied to Direct Payments in those years as we continue to phase the payments out.</p><p> </p><p>Money saved by Direct Payment reductions will be directly re-invested into English agriculture through our new schemes. These include our new environmental land management schemes as well as grants to enable farmers to invest in equipment, technology, and infrastructure. These will improve efficiency and productivity while also benefiting the climate and environment.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-13T16:17:01.027Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-13T16:17:01.027Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
4382
star this property label Biography information for Daniel Zeichner more like this
1464951
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-05-23more like thismore than 2022-05-23
star this property answering body
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of uplifting support payments and grants to farmers in England in the context of the rates of agricultural inflation. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Henley more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Howell more like this
star this property uin 6738 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-01more like thismore than 2022-06-01
star this property answer text <p>We are not at this time planning on applying inflation indices but we will review payment rates for our offers so that they remain credible and attractive to farmers.</p><p> </p><p>In light of recently rising input costs and price volatility around certain agricultural commodities such as nitrogen fertiliser, the Government is planning to change the way we make payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2022. Eligible farmers will now receive their payment in two instalments - half from the end of July and the rest from December 2022. This will be a permanent change to Direct Payments that will remain for the rest of the agricultural transition. By doing this, the Government intends to inject cash into farm businesses, helping them to make business decisions sooner, with more confidence.</p><p> </p><p>This builds on the increase in revenue payment rates for the Countryside Stewardship scheme to reflect the change in costs since 2013, which Defra announced in January 2022. The majority of payment rates increased, on average by around 30%, although rate changes vary from option to option. These changes affected around 30,000 agreements and show we are willing and able to respond as and when there is a clear case.</p><p> </p><p>In March 2022, Defra began rolling out the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to recipients of the BPS. SFI will help with the costs of sowing nitrogen fixing plants and green manures in crops to substitute some fertiliser requirements for the coming season, as well as reducing the dependence on manufactured fertilisers which are impacted by the price of gas. Rising fertiliser prices highlight that we need to find alternatives and move towards more organic-based fertiliser products. SFI is designed to help farmers move to these new sustainable farming methods gradually - which will improve environmental conditions of the land, while building the long-term resilience of our food security and production.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State recently announced a range of measures in support of the current situation, such as delaying changes to the use of urea fertiliser to help farmers manage their costs and improving statutory guidance for use of slurry. Defra has also created the Fertiliser Taskforce - where Government and industry are working together to help improve market confidence and provide farmers with the information they need to make business decisions on fertiliser use.</p><p> </p><p>Towards the end of this year, farmers will be able to apply for slurry storage grants, helping them to meet the Farming Rules for Water and reducing their dependence on artificial fertilisers. This grant will contribute towards the costs of covered slurry store construction projects, helping farmers to get six months storage capacity. We will set the rates based on our assessment of the market at the time, as is our usual practice.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is supporting investment in technology and research to further improve productivity. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund has offered grants of up to £48m to over 4,000 applicants - enabling farmers to invest in equipment, technology and infrastructure. We have also announced a new Adding Value theme - a £30 million fund helping farmers and growers to process, diversify and add-value to their products again using up to date market information.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to monitor the wider context of global supplies that can impact farm income and productivity, as well as take-up of our agri-environment and other schemes. Defra will use the findings to inform our plans throughout the agricultural transition.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 6739 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-01T08:31:29.38Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-01T08:31:29.38Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
star this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this
1464952
star this property registered interest false more like this
star this property date less than 2022-05-23more like thismore than 2022-05-23
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Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept id 13 more like this
star this property answering dept short name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
star this property answering dept sort name Environment, Food and Rural Affairs more like this
unstar this property hansard heading Agriculture: Subsidies remove filter
star this property house id 1 more like this
star this property legislature
25259
star this property pref label House of Commons more like this
star this property question text To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of applying inflation indexes to support payments and grants available to farmers in England. more like this
star this property tabling member constituency Henley more like this
star this property tabling member printed
John Howell more like this
star this property uin 6739 more like this
star this property answer
answer
unstar this property is ministerial correction false more like this
star this property date of answer less than 2022-06-01more like thismore than 2022-06-01
star this property answer text <p>We are not at this time planning on applying inflation indices but we will review payment rates for our offers so that they remain credible and attractive to farmers.</p><p> </p><p>In light of recently rising input costs and price volatility around certain agricultural commodities such as nitrogen fertiliser, the Government is planning to change the way we make payments under the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in 2022. Eligible farmers will now receive their payment in two instalments - half from the end of July and the rest from December 2022. This will be a permanent change to Direct Payments that will remain for the rest of the agricultural transition. By doing this, the Government intends to inject cash into farm businesses, helping them to make business decisions sooner, with more confidence.</p><p> </p><p>This builds on the increase in revenue payment rates for the Countryside Stewardship scheme to reflect the change in costs since 2013, which Defra announced in January 2022. The majority of payment rates increased, on average by around 30%, although rate changes vary from option to option. These changes affected around 30,000 agreements and show we are willing and able to respond as and when there is a clear case.</p><p> </p><p>In March 2022, Defra began rolling out the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) to recipients of the BPS. SFI will help with the costs of sowing nitrogen fixing plants and green manures in crops to substitute some fertiliser requirements for the coming season, as well as reducing the dependence on manufactured fertilisers which are impacted by the price of gas. Rising fertiliser prices highlight that we need to find alternatives and move towards more organic-based fertiliser products. SFI is designed to help farmers move to these new sustainable farming methods gradually - which will improve environmental conditions of the land, while building the long-term resilience of our food security and production.</p><p> </p><p>The Secretary of State recently announced a range of measures in support of the current situation, such as delaying changes to the use of urea fertiliser to help farmers manage their costs and improving statutory guidance for use of slurry. Defra has also created the Fertiliser Taskforce - where Government and industry are working together to help improve market confidence and provide farmers with the information they need to make business decisions on fertiliser use.</p><p> </p><p>Towards the end of this year, farmers will be able to apply for slurry storage grants, helping them to meet the Farming Rules for Water and reducing their dependence on artificial fertilisers. This grant will contribute towards the costs of covered slurry store construction projects, helping farmers to get six months storage capacity. We will set the rates based on our assessment of the market at the time, as is our usual practice.</p><p> </p><p>Defra is supporting investment in technology and research to further improve productivity. The Farming Equipment and Technology Fund has offered grants of up to £48m to over 4,000 applicants - enabling farmers to invest in equipment, technology and infrastructure. We have also announced a new Adding Value theme - a £30 million fund helping farmers and growers to process, diversify and add-value to their products again using up to date market information.</p><p> </p><p>The Government continues to monitor the wider context of global supplies that can impact farm income and productivity, as well as take-up of our agri-environment and other schemes. Defra will use the findings to inform our plans throughout the agricultural transition.</p>
star this property answering member constituency Banbury more like this
star this property answering member printed Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property grouped question UIN 6738 more like this
star this property question first answered
less than 2022-06-01T08:31:29.447Zmore like thismore than 2022-06-01T08:31:29.447Z
star this property answering member
4401
star this property label Biography information for Victoria Prentis more like this
star this property tabling member
1606
star this property label Biography information for John Howell more like this