The Environmental Land Management Scheme
A generational opportunity for change?
For decades, agricultural policy in the United Kingdom was shaped by the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy, offering a unified approach across Europe. With Britain’s departure from the EU now complete, this long-standing system is set to change. A new era for our rural landscapes is on the horizon, bringing opportunities for transformation and renewal.
The Agricultural Act marks the beginning of a new era for British farming, introducing significant changes. One major shift is the removal of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which the EU implemented in 2015 as a replacement for the Single Payment Scheme. In its place, the UK will roll out the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme as a tailored alternative.
The Environmental Land Management Schemes propose a real shake up to rural Britain.
The Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme aims for full implementation by 2024, focusing on sustainable farming, combating climate change, and conserving natural spaces. With the slogan “public goods for public money,” the scheme underscores its commitment to driving key ecological improvements.
Environmental reform is central to the scheme, which introduces a tiered approach to land management. It encourages the creation of wildflower meadows, woodlands, and peatlands to promote biodiversity. Expanding wild spaces on a significant scale could help sequester carbon and mitigate future flood risks.
Farmers who prioritise environmental sustainability will be appropriately rewarded under the scheme. This includes compensation for reversing soil depletion and adopting organic farming methods. With this balanced approach, we aim to support production while enhancing and protecting our rural landscapes.