One of the biggest challenges facing many farmers right now is the phasing out of the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), which will end after the 2027 scheme year. BPS was the foundation of agricultural support through the EU Common Agricultural Policy and for many businesses it has often been the difference between profit and loss.

The UK’s departure from the EU led to the introduction of the Agricultural Act in 2020, which shifts policy away from direct payments towards payments for public goods. These are identified as biodiversity, clean air, soil health, climate mitigation and public access. Food production is still the focus of farming but increasing emphasis is being placed on creating a resilient and sustainable system that is sympathetic to the environment and with high welfare standards.

DEFRA has formed the Future Farming Resilience Fund (FFRF) to help support farmers and land managers through this transition. This is the second phase of FFRF – with an overall budget of £32 million being delivered by a range of specialists, including Wilson Wraight.

Wilson Wraight is the leading provider of agricultural, environmental and planning consultancy in the Eastern region. The experienced team of agricultural consultants are here to help those that sign up to the scheme understand how these changes will affect their business. The business review will consist of an on-farm meeting followed by a structured, concise report focusing on the current business strategy and recommendations for the future.

With an increasingly complex agricultural backdrop, the need for businesses to review their performance and consider future strategy has never been more vital.

Rachel Bush, consultant at Wilson Wraight, said: "It can be difficult for business owners to step back from the day-to-day pressures to properly consider the impact of recent changes on short and medium-term prospects. The FFRF provides an excellent opportunity to do this, supported by experienced consultants with a broad breadth of knowledge on all aspects of running a rural-based business.”

For more information, please visit wilsonwraight.co.uk