Responding to statements by the newly formed Nature Friendly Farming Network that Brexit could offer a "once in a generation" opportunity to restore British wildlife [1], Green Party MEP Molly Scott Cato said:
"Farmers committed to working with nature were pleased to hear about Michael Gove’s plans to shift subsidies away from landholding to environmental benefits, but given his past record on environmental matters there is also understandable scepticism. To reassure the doubters Michael Gove could act now and use the flexibility within the CAP system to make some changes immediately I would suggest as a minimum that he introduces a maximum level of land-based payments and increases the proportion of payments that are given in return for wildlife-friendly farming. This would be a clear signal that the Environment Secretary’s commitment to a so-called Green position is more than political positioning."
Notes
[1] https://www.farminguk.com/news/New-group-formed-to-promote-environment-friendly-farming_48278.html