Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to support farmers in Northumberland in preparation for the UK leaving the EU.

The Agriculture Bill is part of the Government’s programme of critical legislation to deliver a smooth departure from the EU. We will create an ambitious new system based on paying “public money for public goods” including improving air and water quality and habitats for wildlife.

Due to the environment and cultural and natural heritage of upland areas, fell farmers like those in Northumberland will be well placed to benefit from the new system which will reward farmers for the public value of the goods they provide.

A smooth and gradual seven year transition away from the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy will mean that farmers and land managers can plan ahead. The Government has already pledged to continue to support farmers financially by committing the same cash total in funds for farm support until the end of this Parliament.

As any responsible Government would, we are also preparing for the possibility of no deal, which is why we have contingency plans in place to minimise disruption for the food and farming sector as much as possible.