The Farming Roadmap for England sets out a line of direction for farmers, who may need to make some difficult decisions about a future that’s very different from the past. That’s according to Jeremy Moody, secretary and adviser to the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).

“There’s naturally a lot in the Farming Roadmap that we’ve heard before, but it is more clearly setting a direction now that the CAP has gone. The Roadmap makes statements supporting productive farming, treating it as a business, with more business-like policies as well as regulation and expected good practice,” says Mr Moody.

“While recognising that farms will have individual answers as they navigate change, the Roadmap’s overall aim is towards lower input, high technology farming, with a mistrust of fertiliser and a concern about water quality. Farmers should expect the regulatory baseline for good farming practice to rise, with no more money to be paid.”

In practice, producers should see the present Environmental Land Management schemes as a transitional regime. Items like buffer strips, which have previously been paid for, are likely to become compulsory in legislation, while conversion of farming practices is to be for decision in the marketplace by farmers, perhaps in conjunction with supply chains. Money will move purely to public goods, such as habitat creation.”

With the Government still searching for private finance for environmental change, producers should be careful in considering the agreements some buyers might offer, lest they prove bad deals, especially if the buyer takes the value of what is done on the farm, he warns. “We are at an early stage with a lot of practical learning still to be done.

“However, the advantage in not being beholden to Government payments is that, like any other business, you will now be more free to choose your approach, including whether, what, how, where and when you farm,” notes Mr Moody. “Alongside the Inheritance Tax changes, this is a real prompt for serious review. Where do the family and business want to be, and how might they get there?

“Whether continuing to change, to grow or to withdraw; perhaps letting land out, act now to set a direction to manage what you can control and meet your objectives,” he adds. “Having seen government schemes muffle innovation and productivity for 30 years, we need to aim for and use the language of success. It’s time to make the decisions and implement them.”