• Government releases further details of Environmental Land Management Scheme post-Brexit
• Government publish Policy paper on Agricultural transition plan 2021 to 2024

The REA, as the representative of hundreds of companies operating across the bioeconomy, has been following the process closely and believe it could be an enabler of the UK’s transition to Net Zero if developed in the right way.

Frank Gordon, Head of Policy at REA said:

“The Agricultural Transition plan is a good first step in defining a future support mechanism based around environmental benefits for the UK and it is welcome that Government have confirmed the start of the Sustainable Farming Incentive in 2022 to help kick start this process. This will encourage changes in farming practice that will help the UK build-up carbon in soils, value organic inputs, restore biodiversity and contribute to the UK’s energy security through the domestic growth of bioenergy feedstocks.  This is good news for rural jobs and pushing forward the development of a strong UK bioeconomy and support the circular management of bioresources.

The plans however recognise that there remains a lot of work still to be done, and we urge Government to provide clarity as soon as possible on future arrangements. In further development and consultations around the Environmental Land Management scheme, we encourage government to go further in defining how the new measures will support soil health and water quality, as well as the growth of rotational crops and carbon fixing crops such as those for perennial energy, and agroforestry.”

—ENDS—

For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Ieva Asnina – 0203 6647 227

Notes to editors:

• The Agricultural Transition Plan published today is available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-transition-plan-2021-to-2024?utm_source=1e742c51-f03a-4ebf-a658-fcdd47c8d596&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate