The Agriculture Bill
The Agriculture Bill outlines how farmers and land managers in England will be rewarded with public funding for delivering “public goods” like improved air and water quality, thriving wildlife, healthier soils, and measures to combat flooding and climate change under the Environmental Land Management scheme. This system aligns with the government’s 25-Year Environment Plan and net-zero emissions target by 2050. Replacing the outdated Basic Payment Scheme, which favoured large landowners without encouraging specific public benefits, the Bill also includes measures to boost productivity and promote sustainable, high-quality food production.
The Government has committed to maintaining the current BPS (Basic Payment Scheme) in 2020 at the same funding level, along with assurances of continued support for farmers outside the Common Agricultural Policy. The focus of this support is shifting toward the principle of “public money for public goods,” with new priorities emphasizing environmental contributions. These will be delivered through the Environmental Land Management Schemes, details of which will be revealed in the coming months. The gradual transition from EU subsidies to a UK-based system is designed to give farmers time to adapt their land management practices and align with the new funding framework.
The new system will reward land used for improving soil health, aiding flood relief, enhancing water and air quality, boosting wildlife biodiversity, raising animal welfare standards beyond the legal baseline, and increasing public access to the countryside.
The government’s continued support provides UK farmers with opportunities to re-prioritise land use, contributing to efforts to combat climate change and end the practice of EU subsidies for unused or inefficient land with no public benefit. At All Things Rural, we embrace this shift from a sole focus on food production to a broader perspective that promotes sustainable land use and environmental stewardship.
We provide a variety of products across all our ranges that deliver significant environmental benefits, both by directly supporting ecosystems and by fostering habitats where native wildlife and livestock can thrive.
Planting grass seed on any area of land offers numerous benefits, with various specialist species tailored for purposes ranging from rearing livestock to reducing flood risks and absorbing CO2. We also provide a wide selection of native and non-native wildflowers, each offering unique advantages, such as adding color to landscapes while supplying nutrition and habitats for insects and wildlife, which, in turn, enhance biodiversity. To naturally enrich and replenish soil, we offer legumes and other crops that restore nitrogen and essential nutrients. No matter your agricultural needs, the diverse range of products at All Things Rural can help you transform your land to benefit both British society and your own farm.