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<p>We are not going to change the profile of Direct Payments reductions.</p><p>Area
based subsidy gave half the farming budget to 10% of landowners. The Basic Payment
Scheme did not support food production and did nothing to stop the decline in nature.
We must seize the opportunity to establish a different system of rewards and incentives
in agriculture. I am pleased that we are supporting farmers with the choices that
they make for their own holdings.</p><p>Defra has been engaging with industry via
various forums to understand significant impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
on individual industries and supply chains in Defra's sectors. No impacts have been
reported that will severely disrupt entire markets.</p><p>Last month we announced
steps to assist farmers with the availability of fertilisers for the coming growing
season, to help address uncertainty amongst growers and help keep costs down for farmers.</p><p>The
planned changes to the use of urea fertiliser will be delayed by at least a year,
helping farmers manage costs and giving them more time to adapt to pressures on the
supply of ammonium nitrate fertilisers. We are also encouraging farmers to make use
of organic fertilisers. Farmers will be further supported by new slurry storage grants
introduced this year.</p><p>Alongside this, we have published further details of the
early rollout of Sustainable Farming Incentive. The scheme will help farmers move
towards more sustainable farming practices over time; supporting farmers to build
the health and fertility of their soil, and to reduce soil erosion which are essential
for food production, helping to bolster food security and the longer-term resilience
of the sector.</p><p>Defra will continue to keep the situation under review going
forward.</p>
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