Michael Gove, Environment Secretary, has announced plans to streamline support for farmers.

Acknowledging the daily challenge farmers face within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), he said the current system of farm support is inefficient, ineffective, inequitable, and environmentally harmful.

Speaking at the Country Land and Business Association’s (CLA) annual Rural Business Conference, Mr Gove said: "Today I have set out plans to improve our current schemes, starting with simplifying support for farmers to protect and enhance our landscapes and countryside. But these measures are just the beginning - the first steps towards a simplified system of support. Over the coming weeks and months, we’ll be working closely with our farmers to make sure we listen to what they want as we design a new approach and realise our vision for the future of UK food and farming outside the EU."

As a first step, the Environment Secretary announced simplification to the Countryside Stewardship scheme through the creation of four new streamlined offers which will launch in January. These new offers will require half as much paperwork as before and easier for farmers and land managers to apply and deliver environmental benefits on their land.

CLA president Tim Breitmeyer said: "Farmers and landowners want to continue providing the country with high quality, affordable food while protecting the environment and supporting wildlife. We welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment to streamlining and focusing support into the areas most needed, and we look forward to working with him to drive up participation in crucial schemes to protect and enhance landscapes and the environment."

Jenna Hegarty, head of land use policy at RSPB said: "We welcome the Secretary of State’s ambition to make Countryside Stewardship more effective, which will allow more farmers to help wildlife on their land. This is a crucial step towards realising his aim to refocus agriculture policy to provide clear benefits for people, nature and the future of farming."

The Secretary of State also spoke about the opportunities for UK farmers and food producers to take advantage of changing consumer tastes and reap the rewards of quality and provenance in production. He celebrated measures set out in the government’s Industrial Strategy to work towards a food and drink sector deal and announced further support including a further £45 million top up to the RDPE Growth Programme to help rural business development, food processing and rural infrastructure projects.