Oxford Real Farming Conference calls for better income protections
It's as a group wants a Universal Basic Income
As protests by farmers across the UK are stepped up, a group of farmers are demanding a Universal Basic Income (UBI) to provide financial security as the country transitions away from the EU subsidy regime.
At least 100 farmers are involved in a new campaign group to lobby the government on the issue; BI4FARMERS is demanding a UBI for all farmers in Britain.
A basic income for farmers would be a regular, unconditional cash payment made directly to farmers and agricultural workers. In a new report released by BI4Farmers and independent think tank Autonomy, farmers and farming groups say this would provide the financial security needed as Brexit represents a historic shift in state subsidies for farmers.
Many UK farms have depended on EU subsidies for decades and these are now in the process of being replaced by schemes delivered by the UK Government. However, independent and government projections show that these new schemes won’t cover the funding gaps left in this transition, leaving many small family farms on the brink of financial viability.
Prior to leaving the EU, many UK farms were essentially kept afloat by EU subsidies. In 2019, the UK received approximately £4.7 billion in funding from the EU, under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), introduced in 1962. 80% of this money was provided through the Basic Payments Scheme (BPS):
Alongside the funding issues, there has been a significant and growing problem in the low yield of new workers since Brexit which has caused a decline in the farming work force.
Ruth West, Co-Founder of the Oxford Real Farming Conference, said:
“Concerned citizens, farmers in dire straits, policymakers and all those who care about a fairer food system should get on board and help move this practical, doable plan to the next phase.
“BI4Farmers presents us with a golden opportunity for a sustainable farming future. It's an opportunity we must not miss.”