Lords to take evidence from conservation experts on managing the countryside post Brexit
The House of Lords EU Energy and Environment Sub-Committee will continue its inquiry into the implications of Brexit for UK agriculture on Wednesday 22 February. The Committee will hear from experts on conservation and the rural economy from the National Trust, RSPB and the University of Cambridge.
Once the UK withdraws from the European Union, EU subsidies will no longer be given under Pillar I and II of the Common Agricultural Policy. The current system for subsidising environmental protection and public good provisions at farm level, as well as many programmes aimed at fostering rural development, will cease to apply.
In this session, the Committee will explore the implications of Brexit for the provision of public goods and ecosystems services through agriculture.
At 10:30am the Committee will speak to:
- Tom Lancaster, Agricultural Policy Officer, RSPB
- Richard Hebditch, External Affairs Director, National Trust
- Ian Hodge, Professor of Rural Economy, University of Cambridge
Questions they are likely to be asked include:
- What are the implications of withdrawing from the Common Agricultural Policy for the management of the countryside and the agri-environment?
- Should farmers provide public goods or services on farms? If so, what types of public good or ecosystems services should the agricultural sector provide?
- The Minister of State has indicated support for subsidising farmers who deliver ecosystems services. How might that affect rural development and the countryside?
- To what extent would subsidies to farmers for the delivery of public goods be compatible with World Trade Organization rules?
- Would it be appropriate or necessary for the UK to co-operate with the EU to achieve an enhanced natural environment through agriculture and rural policy, and if so, how and why?
The evidence session will start at 10:30am on Wednesday 22 February and will be held in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords.
