Funding

Initial payments under the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM) cannot increase unless direct support is cut faster, Defra Secretary George Eustice has said.

Defra Secretary George Eustice has hit back at claims that the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will line the pockets of wealthy landowners.

Defra Secretary George Eustice has hit back at claims that the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme will line the pockets of wealthy landowners.

Bus services across the country could be cut by one third over the coming weeks as pandemic funding from the Government comes to an end, with rural areas expected to be particularly hard hit.

Princess Anne waded into the debate about Environmental Land Management (ELM) by questioning who exactly was going to benefit from the scheme.

Direct support will continue to make up a substantial proportion of the new funding package for Scottish farmers and crofters, according to Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon.

Environmental gains made under stewardship schemes risk being squandered over the coming years, as farmers begin to plough up land in a bid to recoup the upcoming loss of direct support in England.

Industry leaders have hit back after Defra Secretary George Eustice suggested concerns about the future of the uplands were ‘unjustified’.

Industry leaders have hit back after Defra Secretary George Eustice suggested concerns about the future of the uplands were unjustified.

Details about Defra’s long-awaited plans to support English farmers who want to retire have been set out by the department today (February 8).