PROMOTION Agricultural land post-Brexit One of the key post-Brexit changes to the agricultural sector which has been proposed under the Agriculture Bill is the eligibility to farmers of subsidies cording to the guidance THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LAND establishments and the like). In such cases, provided by the Government, the clear theme is that MANAGEMENT SCHEMES these businesses would also be prudent to seek legal assistance as agreements in relation to renewable energy installations can be complex and changing the use of farms may need careful consideration and legal documentation. The basis of the new ELMS will be to payments to farmers will now be based on the implementation of measures aimed at protecting the environment. Therefore, it is important that agricultural businesses are open to implementing such measures which may include investing in new practices and technologies and also potentially diversifying their business. encourage farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly farming practices on a long-term basis and in turn reward farmers for their application of such practices. Funding will be offered to farmers to invest in new CONCLUSION technology and infrastructure that assist in environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices. For those agricultural businesses looking to adapt and implement the technology and infrastructure required to access the funding provided by ELMS, it is likely that in many cases additional land may need to be acquired or renovations carried out to additional farm buildings. In such instances it would be prudent for such businesses to obtain legal assistance to navigate the transactions necessary to make the Implementation of the same possible. It is also clear that agricultural Forbes Solicitors offer a wide range of services to agricultural businesses and have a dedicated Agricultural Team with specialists in Commercial Property, Corporate, Employment and Dispute Resolution. CURRENT SITUATION Presently, farmers receive BPS Entitlements which are currently known as Single Farm Payments from the Government. Single Farm Payment eligibility has traditionally been based upon land quantity (with payments made in accordance with the eligible acres farmed) with environmental requirements largely being dealt with under certification schemes such as Red Tractor and Stewardship Agreements. These Single Farm Payments have largely been funded via payments from the European Union under the Common Agricultural Policy initiative (CAP). However, following Brexit, payments under the CAP will gradually reduce and eventually cease and with it the Single Farm Payments will also be phased out, to instead be replaced with the new proposed Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS). The Agricultural Toam is headed up by Michael Rutter who is a solcitor within the Commercial Property department at Forbes Soloitors who specialises in the agricutural property sector. Michael can be contacted by tolephone at 0333 207 1147, or altenatively by email at michael.rutter@forbessolicitors.co.uk. businesses who are unable to meet the eligibility requirements of the new ELMS, will be potentially impacted financially by the loss of funding currently provided (and no longer available under ELMS). As such, it may be financially beneficial for these agricultural businesses to start considering how they can diversify, for example - investing in new areas such as renewable energy (wind farms, solar farms, carbon storage and the like) and the hospitality sector (bed and breakfast Together forbes we forbessolicitors. Ofices in Accrington, Blackbum, Central Lancashiro, Loods, Manchester and Preston www.forbessolicitors.co.uk PROMOTION Agricultural land post-Brexit One of the key post-Brexit changes to the agricultural sector which has been proposed under the Agriculture Bill is the eligibility to farmers of subsidies cording to the guidance THE NEW ENVIRONMENTAL LAND establishments and the like). In such cases, provided by the Government, the clear theme is that MANAGEMENT SCHEMES these businesses would also be prudent to seek legal assistance as agreements in relation to renewable energy installations can be complex and changing the use of farms may need careful consideration and legal documentation. The basis of the new ELMS will be to payments to farmers will now be based on the implementation of measures aimed at protecting the environment. Therefore, it is important that agricultural businesses are open to implementing such measures which may include investing in new practices and technologies and also potentially diversifying their business. encourage farmers to adopt more environmentally friendly farming practices on a long-term basis and in turn reward farmers for their application of such practices. Funding will be offered to farmers to invest in new CONCLUSION technology and infrastructure that assist in environmentally friendly and sustainable farming practices. For those agricultural businesses looking to adapt and implement the technology and infrastructure required to access the funding provided by ELMS, it is likely that in many cases additional land may need to be acquired or renovations carried out to additional farm buildings. In such instances it would be prudent for such businesses to obtain legal assistance to navigate the transactions necessary to make the Implementation of the same possible. It is also clear that agricultural Forbes Solicitors offer a wide range of services to agricultural businesses and have a dedicated Agricultural Team with specialists in Commercial Property, Corporate, Employment and Dispute Resolution. CURRENT SITUATION Presently, farmers receive BPS Entitlements which are currently known as Single Farm Payments from the Government. Single Farm Payment eligibility has traditionally been based upon land quantity (with payments made in accordance with the eligible acres farmed) with environmental requirements largely being dealt with under certification schemes such as Red Tractor and Stewardship Agreements. These Single Farm Payments have largely been funded via payments from the European Union under the Common Agricultural Policy initiative (CAP). However, following Brexit, payments under the CAP will gradually reduce and eventually cease and with it the Single Farm Payments will also be phased out, to instead be replaced with the new proposed Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMS). The Agricultural Toam is headed up by Michael Rutter who is a solcitor within the Commercial Property department at Forbes Soloitors who specialises in the agricutural property sector. Michael can be contacted by tolephone at 0333 207 1147, or altenatively by email at michael.rutter@forbessolicitors.co.uk. businesses who are unable to meet the eligibility requirements of the new ELMS, will be potentially impacted financially by the loss of funding currently provided (and no longer available under ELMS). As such, it may be financially beneficial for these agricultural businesses to start considering how they can diversify, for example - investing in new areas such as renewable energy (wind farms, solar farms, carbon storage and the like) and the hospitality sector (bed and breakfast Together forbes we forbessolicitors. Ofices in Accrington, Blackbum, Central Lancashiro, Loods, Manchester and Preston www.forbessolicitors.co.uk