Details regarding the Government scheme for payments to farmers wishing to leave or retire from farming have recently been released.
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) will manage the Lump Sum Exit Scheme.
Some reports are stating the Government is hoping to attract a new generation of eco-friendly farmers whilst another states it is to rewild the land. Nature recovery projects on a large scale, providing habitat for wildlife and to restore the health of the countryside.
Either way, farmers in England will be given taxpayers cash to leave or retire under a scheme which is not very clear. Figures of up to 100,000 pounds per farmer would result in a fair amount of Tax payer funds.
Environment Secretary George Eustice stated some farmers resist environmentally friendly methods, and he wants them to move on.
The average farmer currently receives about 21,000 pounds in grants but there are others, such as the Queen who are receiving more than half a million pounds each year in grants alone.
Mr Eustice also states the E.U grants system encourages some farmers to coast, hold onto their land in order to collect the subsidy.
Considering England is no longer in the E.U surely those grants would no longer be necessary, perhaps the Environmental department also needs an overhaul of policies and procedures.
Farmland is fast becoming a hot topic with the likes of Bill Gates buying up huge amounts of land in the U.S. The public needs guarantees and assurances that when Governments are spending their tax money that it is of benefit of all.
With populations rising output needs to be improved using best practice however surely best practice would be to set out guidelines and enforce said practices to protect farmland and ensure maximum production yield and minimum damage, rather than pay people off and then replace them with new people at a huge expense.
