Brexit and farm subsidies

As Brexit comes closer a lot of people who voted Leave are starting to consider the consequences. For example pro-Brexit Cornwall wants to keep its EU subsidies and Grimsby wants to be forgiven  import duties.

However, with UK growth being downgraded once more, and our Chancellor being forced to borrow even more money just to pay current bills, it seems unlikely that there will be any money available for feather-bedding.

One group that are likely to suffer across the country are farmers. Currently the EU pays landowners according to how much land they own. Clearly this is great for the richest landowners. For example, the billionaire Brexiteer Sir James Dyson received £1.6 million last year. In total, UK farmers receive subsidies of £3.1 billion a year.

Mr Gove, the environment secretary, says that he won't be continuing the current policy, but it isn't clear what he can change. The problem with cutting subsidies is that, although subsidies to small farms are much smaller than to big farms, such farms depend upon them far more heavily. One possibility is means-testing, a sort of social security for farms.

Mr Gove anyway is not too fussed about farming, he is into 'soil health' rather than producing food. That may be why he isn't concerned about the crops that had to be left rotting in fields due to the lack of seasonal workers. Given that the UK is already a big food importer and that prices are going up due to the weak pound, giving up on growing food ourselves seems an odd policy.

The Scottish are far more canny, with targeted support and special grants. This is why they (and the Welsh) want control over their own farming policies - something they should have anyway under the devolution settlement - rather than having Mr Gove telling them what to do.

.Mr Gove is a conviction politician, and - as his stint as education secretary showed - this means that he believes his way is the only right way. He implements policies without consent, without even consultation or discussion (he is the source of the quote about Britain having had enough of experts). UK farming is facing a serious challenge in Brexit, and once we leave Mr Gove will be in sole charge.

Farming is in for an interesting time.