As attention turns to the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) beyond 2027, the perennial issue of how to secure real systemic change in agricultural practices to achieve more sustainable farming systems is once again on the table. Despite changes in the CAP’s architecture over the years, the fact remains that what is delivered on the ground does not go far enough to bring about the changes required to address the environmental and climate challenges facing the EU.  

Now they are outside the CAP, the four UK countries have the freedom to redesign their agricultural support frameworks and this has been seen by many as one of the more concrete opportunities to arise on leaving the EU, including with a view to enhancing possible environmental benefits.   

To date, England is the most advanced in its development of a new system of payments to farmers within the UK. A new Agriculture Act is already in place, with the provision of public goods stated as the main objective of funding. The policy mechanisms to pursue this goal are being changed as well; direct payments are being phased out over time, as a new suite of schemes is phased in.   

This short briefing looks at what has been proposed in England, sketches progress to date and considers what lessons can be learned for increasing the environmental and climate ambition of the CAP and particularly for phasing out direct payments.