The United Kingdom's Domestic Policy for Agriculture after Brexit

Abstract

SummaryThe decision in June 2016 by the UK to leave the EU found government departments responsible for domestic agriculture without detailed plans for a post‐Brexit national agricultural policy. In February 2017, the Secretary of State indicated five broad ‘priorities’ that largely continue the direction of previous domestic policy. While agricultural trade issues must remain unsettled for some years, consideration can be given now to the shape of UK post‐Brexit domestic agricultural policy in each of the devolved administrations (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). This article considers from first principles the interventions that could justify public funding. Market failure lies behind the rationale for a range of actions that broadly correspond with current Rural Development Programmes, though not all elements are likely to survive scrutiny. Basic Payments are not seen as having any supporting rationale and should be withdrawn; the issue is how best to exit from them. The end result should be a policy that results in a British agriculture more attuned to the nation's environmental objectives, more internationally competitive, more innovative, and capable of achieving these aims at a lower public cost, thereby freeing up resources for other pressing national purposes.