Agriculture Act 2020: New farming support and food standards after Brexit

This Act creates new systems for supporting farmers in England after leaving the EU. It replaces EU farming subsidies with payments for environmental work like planting trees and protecting wildlife. Farmers will get seven years to adjust to the new system. The Act gives ministers power to set food standards and labeling rules. It creates support for farmers during bad weather or disease outbreaks. The government says this will make farming more environmentally friendly and give Britain control over its food policy. Critics say it could reduce food production and make farmers less competitive without guaranteed income support.

• 1Replaces EU farming subsidies with payments for environmental work
• 2Gives farmers seven years to transition to the new payment system
• 3Allows ministers to set food standards and labeling requirements
• 4Creates financial support for farmers during emergencies like disease outbreaks
• 5Applies mainly to England, with some UK-wide provisions