Brexit changes UK agricultural policy

The departure of the United Kingdom (UK) from the European Union (EU) means that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) must be replaced by its own agricultural policy. The country has announced the first plans. What do they show?

The UK has said it will continue to accept most of the European regulations. For example, unimpeded access to the European market is important. The focus of the agricultural sector will be on quality, with higher requirements than in the EU. This is because the country is unable to compete on bulk.

'Green Brexit'
Prime Minister Theresa May's government focuses its policy on a 'Green Brexit': a sustainable intensification of our own food production, in which natural capital comes first.

Plans have also been made to set up 500.000 hectares of new nature, partly by converting grassland. The agricultural sector must therefore work more efficiently, for example through precision agriculture, robotics and genetic modification.

Public services
By granting subsidies on the basis of production area, the CAP would have created the wrong incentives, and would thus hinder innovation (by young entrants). That is why the UK wants to replace direct income support with rewards for the provision of public services. Direct income support will gradually be phased out.

Anne-Jan Doorn

Anne Jan Doorn is an arable expert at Boerenbusiness. He writes about the various arable farming markets and also focuses on the land and energy market.

aj.doorn@boerenbusiness. Nl

© DCA Market Intelligence. This market information is subject to copyright. It is not permitted to reproduce, distribute, disseminate or make the content available to third parties for compensation, in any form, without the express written permission of DCA Market Intelligence.