English NEW ENTRANTS UNITE – Land could be coming your way (finally) but not without your help!
As a part of the agricultural transition, Defra are considering two exit payment schemes: Delinking and Lump Sum. It is expected that these payments will be used by farmers currently receiving BPS to either invest in productivity, expand their farm business or retire from farming.
The latter option, could present land and further opportunities for new entrants, but there are currently no conditions laid out that this land will be prioritised for new entrants or be environmentally protected – leaving it open to environmental damage, extortionately high market prices and the further consolidation of land by wealthy landowners!
The government has announced that a consultation on these two schemes will go live this month and we need your help to ensure that any land made available through these schemes are passed to landworkers like you!
You can find out more about the two schemes, read our recommendations and sign up to be a joint signatory to the consultation yma.
Keep your eyes peeled this month for the announcement of the consultation going live and for tips on how to respond. Your voice matters!
