03 Aug 2017

Policy Exchange argues leaving EU’s Common Agricultural Policy The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is the EU’s largest and oldest policy, absorbing nearly 40 per cent of its budget. And, as even the most zealous Europhiles would admit, it is one of its most disastrous. Over the last 40 years, CAP has focused on the interests […]

22 Jul 2017

Secretary of State Michael Gove sets out his vision on the future of our natural environment Safeguarding our future  RE: This is a remarkable speech by Michael Gove and he has gone out of his way to distance himself from some of his baggage which was remembered in detail when he was appointed. There was never […]

27 Feb 2017

In this talk to the NFU conference Andrea Leadsom has outlined the Government’s principles with reference to the CFP. It doesn’t provide detail but importantly ‘environment’ is highlighted as the third principle (see blow). For those looking for clues re CFP a statement to this effect would be a good start and the inclusion of […]

04 Jan 2017

EAC Jan 4th ‘MPs are warning the Government that environmental protections must not be weakened during the process of leaving the EU or afterwards. The Environmental Audit Committee is calling on the Government to introduce a new Environmental Protection Act during Article 50 negotiations to maintain the UK’s strong environmental standards. Read the report summary […]

18 Oct 2016

Don’t be put off by the title of this Environmental Audit Committee evidence. Some seriously big hitters can be seen contributing to this developing debate. Water is at the heart of much of the session. Brexit is providing a major opportunity to look at more constructive ways of incentivising farmers to do the right thing.   […]

04 Aug 2016

Brexit: Water & Farming  In the UK we have an excellent, world beating understanding of how farming and land-use affects the water cycle and catchment management and various programmes in place to address this. This theme will address how this theme is being addresses in Brexit debate; it now contains five articles (August 4th) see […]

28 Jul 2016

This theme of the Brexit issue will build cumulatively over the weeks with new articles being added to the list. The Environmental Audit committee have committed to a review of the Brexit decision on the environment and predominantly on the relationship with farming. This issue has enormous implications for many areas of the water industry […]

10 Jun 2014

Defra: This collection brings together information on how the reform of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) will affect farmers. This includes information about the new schemes for farmers from 2015. CAP is a system of agricultural subsidies and programmes. CAP covers farming, environmental measures and rural development, and controls EU agricultural markets. The new […]