Blog Farming

This blog is managed by Defra’s Farming and Countryside Programme.

On this blog, we explain the reforms to agricultural policy in England.

We share what we’re working on, what we’re learning and how you can get involved.

Find out more

Rules for farmers and land managers

Environmental land management update

Changes to Countryside Stewardship capital payment rates

Bird flu: latest situation in England

Updated guidance on inheritance tax for farmers in agri-environment schemes

Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) in England will be replaced with delinked payments in 2024.

Learn how they’re calculated and who’s eligible

One-off payments

For equipment, technology and infrastructure

For research and innovation

To improve animal health and welfare

To improve tree health

To support parks, AONBs and Broads

Ongoing payments

To improve soil health

To better understand moorland

To manage habitats, woodlands, flood risk and water pollution.

To make space for nature

To restore landscapes and ecosystems at scale 

To restore peatlands

To plant trees and manage woodland

To join farming

Basic Payment recipients in England can get free business advice from independent providers.

Find an adviser

Take part in co-design

Shows and conferences in 2023