Click here for Michael Gove's full speech to the Oxford Farming Conference.

Among the first to react was CLA Director of Policy Christopher Price who said:

“Exiting the European Union gives us a once in a generation opportunity to build a new food and land use policy that is significantly better than the Common Agricultural Policy. This speech is the latest evidence that Government is embracing our vision for a new policy based on rewarding farmers for the range of public benefits they deliver.

“We have been clear that significant change is necessary but it is right to take the necessary time to design and implement a policy without causing immediate and dramatic disruption to thousands of farming businesses across the countryside. We are pleased the Secretary of State has listened to our concerns on this issue and extended the period of operation of the existing Basic Payment Scheme to ensure a full and smooth transition.

“We also welcome the Secretary of State’s commitment that no business entering a Countryside Stewardship scheme will be unfairly disadvantaged. This guarantee will help to give farmers confidence to enter schemes this year and next. We must not lose any momentum in improving participation in environmental schemes. 

“We will consider the forthcoming consultation on capping of payments closely. The Secretary of State has been clear that businesses must be rewarded for what they do, not the amount of land they own. That will not be the case if a poorly thought through and rushed capping policy excludes and alienates businesses simply because of their size.”

NFU President Meurig Raymond said that Michael Gove’s speech was a positive signal for the farming industry, and he looks forward to seeing the details on this.   

Mr Raymond added that British farming has a unique role in producing a safe, affordable and high quality supply of food as well as caring for 70% of the nation's countryside.

"I was pleased to hear the Secretary of State talking about the need to invest in technology, skills and rural resilience - all of which he says are public goods. 

"Michael Gove also spoke about the importance of delivering benefits for the environment, something that farmers already advocate and perform highly on. Mr Gove was absolutely right to recognise the vital contribution that uplands farmers have in maintaining their iconic landscape.

"Without the productive, resilient and profitable farm businesses across the country, we will not have the people to look after the natural environment. 

“A transition period that allows time to prepare properly for the introduction of a new agricultural policy is also welcome, during which an assessment can be made of the impact of Brexit on UK farming – on trade in the raw ingredients farmers produce, on farm businesses’ access to a competent and reliable workforce, and on the regulatory environment in which they operate. 

"The NFU is up for the challenge of working in partnership with government in reframing agricultural policy for the post-Brexit world. With adequate time to prepare, we can ensure that the introduction of an ambitious new policy framework, one that is suited to the needs of the farming industry and the expectations of the UK public, is managed properly and delivered successfully."

British Veterinary Association (BVA) President John Fishwick said:

“Delivering public goods should be at the heart of a new post Brexit agricultural policy, benefiting producers, consumers and wider society.

“Today Mr Gove committed to investing in the public goods of the natural environment, technology and skills, infrastructure, public access and rural resilience. Yet any post Brexit agricultural policy must also support animal health and welfare as public goods, since these are the very reasons that we have our global reputation for agricultural produce and high standards.

“In equipping the next generation of farmers with the latest tech and training, we shouldn’t underestimate the importance of continued side-by-side working between farmers and local vets in order to optimise animal health and welfare, productivity and competitiveness.

“Vets are integral to food production, from farm to fork, and so vets must also be an integral part of any policy development, review and implementation.

“While Brexit presents an opportunity to tailor our agricultural policy, coordination and oversight across the UK remains crucial. We are keen to hear how agricultural policy, including animal health and welfare challenges, will be jointly tackled by the four administrations of the UK.”

Jonathan Stiff, Head of Rural Division, Cheffins comments:

“The major positive from Michael Gove’s announcement today is the assurance that BPS will be paid at the current rate until 2024.

“Not only does this give the farming industry a basis on which to plan and adapt their businesses through a five-year transitional period from the point of Brexit in March 2019, it should also give the government sufficient time to plan a replacement support system that is well-considered and hopefully more balanced in its approach, rather than being single-mindedly focused on environmental measures.

“However, the other side of the argument is that it is disappointing that Michael Gove continues to focus on the replacement of the BPS scheme rather than focussing on the principles of our new trading relationships with the EU and the rest of the world, as ultimately this will be what has a larger impact on the farming industry than the restructure of the funding system. Similarly, it is disappointing that he continues to focus on environmental measures without formulating any proposals for improving productivity, training or technological advancement.

“A shift towards purely environmental work will increase the UK’s reliance on imported food which will have its implications for farmers and growers across the country. There is a failure from Mr Gove to recognise the efforts of the huge numbers of farmers and landowners who work hard to manage the rural environment in a manner which facilitates quality food production and a cared for countryside for the public good.”

The Soil Association said: “We warmly welcome the move towards an agricultural policy that prioritises environmental protection and the new emphasis on the vital links between food, farming and public health. The clear timetable provides much-needed certainty for farmers, whilst the commitments on public procurement and better labelling are important for food producers and consumers alike.

“We now need to see more detail on how farmers will be enabled and encouraged to shift to higher animal welfare systems, move away from synthetic pesticides, restore degraded soils and improve water quality. The greatest test of this transition is whether the UK’s food and farming system measures up to the monumental challenges of public health, which was highlighted in the speech, and climate change, which received just two mentions.

“The Government must also make an ambitious and unambiguous commitment to organic and other agroecological approaches which are proven to deliver on animal welfare, biodiversity, soil health and climate change - both during and after 2024.”