'Brexit promises broken': Why Boris Johnson's farming plan has made green groups angry

Both the government and farmers will reap what they sow, ITV News Northern Reporter Hannah Miller reports

Boris Johnson has been accused of breaking his Brexit promises on farming, with environmental groups angry about a "shocking lack of ambition" in the government's new plan for agriculture.

The Department for Environment, Food, Rural Affairs (Defra) published details on the Sustainable Land Incentive on Thursday, which will replace the EU subsidy scheme in 2022.

The plan (which can be read in full here) will see farmers will receive payment for taking action which generates environmental benefits, such as improving the health of soil or grasslands which could earn them up to £58 per hectare.

But the measures have been described by the chief executives of the National Trust, The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB as a huge disappointment.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, said: "After leaving the EU, we were promised that the billions of pounds of taxpayers' money given to farmers would be used to improve our natural world.

"But today's publication shows a shocking lack of ambition which does very little to address the climate and nature crises.

"The government seems intent on perpetuating the iniquities of the EU's much-derided Common Agricultural Policy. Worse still, nature-friendly farmers look set to lose out too." He added: "It's an absolute scandal that the government has failed to seize this unique and important opportunity to improve farming so it can help restore nature and address the climate crisis."

Beccy Speight, RSPB chief executive, agreed that the government is wasting a "perfect opportunity" to reform farming.

She added: "Not only does this go against public wishes but it also undermines the government's ability to deliver their own environmental targets as a result.

"Farmers want to be doing more but they need incentives in place to help them."

Director-general of the National Trust Hilary McGrady added: "Nearly four years has passed since the Government set out its vision for the future of food, farming and the environment in a 'Green Brexit', centre-stage being the delivery of a better and richer environment in England.

"But the future of wildlife and climate now looks uncertain as today's announcement falls short of the ambitious reforms promised.

"Farmers need a clear path to a future where nature is at the heart of sustainable and secure food production, not the short diversion this new scheme creates."

Ms McGrady said she hoped the government would rethink the plans before the new year.

The Wildlife Trusts says the loss of wild species over recent decades has been "largely caused by modern agricultural policy and farming methods".

It says modern practices have cause the disappearance of 97% of lowland meadows that support wildflowers, insects, mammals, and birds – and 80% of purple heathlands which are home to bilberries, sand lizards and curlew.

Green groups say the new farming plan doesn't do enough to address those losses, with birds, bees, and butterflies to suffer as a result.

Nearly 1,000 farmers have signed up to a pilot, with the scheme set to be rolled out to agriculturalists who farm more than five hectares of land and are eligible for the Basic Payment Scheme next year, Defra has said.

Environment Secretary George Eustice said: "While it is not for me to tell an individual farmer what to do, I accept that we need to be clear about the policy outcomes we seek.

"These are to halt the decline in species abundance by 2030, to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, to plant up to 10,000 hectares of trees per year in England, to improve water quality, to create more space for nature in the farmed landscape, and to ensure that we have a vibrant and profitable food and farming industry which supports the government's levelling-up agenda and helps safeguard our food security."