E.L.M.S.

[Billhook]

The new government proposals  for dealing with the future of farming  without the previous subsidy system  E.L.M.S  Environmental Land Management Systems

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/939683/farming-changing.pdf

 

Just wondered what everyone's thoughts are on this, as it may affect most of you .

As a farmer with woodland I find it difficult to see how it will replace the previous system where the price of grain and other crops has not changed much for forty years.   For instance the price of wheat was £100/ ton in 1978 and has hovered in the £150s for the last few years so any money to be made from farming was from the subsidy, which was a brilliant way of controlling farmers.

We have been part of several schemes over the years, my father planted poplars for the match industry in 1960s and fir trees for pit props but when they came to maturity there was no market.

The cost of taking these down if I employed one of you people and replanting?   What would you charge, £3000/acre  £5000/acre??  Whatever you then have to add some more money on top of that if farmers are to stay in business as there will be a loss otherwise.  I cannot see the schemes giving away that sort of money in the current climate.