MP Bob Seely said today a post-Brexit green farming policy is an excellent opportunity for the Isle of Wight to further cement its reputation as a producer of top-quality food.
Environment Secretary Michael Gove recently announced that agricultural rules will be tailored for the UK after we leave the EU with subsidies only given to farmers who do public good as well as produce food.
This means money moving away from a model based on landowning to supporting those who plant woodland, provide new habitats for wildlife, increase biodiversity, improve water quality and provide public access to their land.
“Brexit is a huge opportunity for agriculture to work with government to develop flexible schemes that produce the best food in the world and protect the environment,” said Bob.
“This announcement is also a good opportunity for the Isle of Wight because there will be help to protect the landscape, but also scope to really develop the Island's reputation as a producer of top-quality food as I believe IoW should be a national and international brand.
“The reassurance that farmers will have continuity with subsidies until at least 2022 is sensible while a new and better system - a system for the UK - is put into place. I also see no reason why this should not extend to a better deal for fishermen too.”