Political dates for farmers to keep an eye on in 2021

January 1

• New trading relationship with EU to enter into force
• Freedom of movement ends, new points-based immigration system comes into force
• Existing EU trade agreements with third countries will expire in the UK unless rolled over. So far, 29 deals covering 58 countries or territories have been rolled over. Talks are still ongoing with 10 countries or blocs
• Phase one of UK import checks introduced, covering controlled substances
• Scottish CAP simplifications come into force

January 6

Trade Bill returns to Lords for third day of report stage

January 28

Scottish Government Budget published

January

Third round of negotiations for UK-New Zealand trade deal

Early 2021

• Environment Bill returns to Commons for report stage and third reading
• Henry Dimbleby publishes Part Two of the National Food Strategy

March

UK Government Budget

March 25

Welsh Government consultation on new Sustainable Farming Scheme closes

Spring

Defra event to provide more detail about future animal health schemes

April 1

Phase two of UK import checks introduced, covering products of animal origin

April

UK’s de-facto deadline for completing a trade deal with the US. According to insiders, it is likely to be missed

May 6

• Scottish Parliament election
• Senedd election
• Local elections in England

June 30

Deadline for EU Settlement Scheme registration. Growers urged to ensure workers have applied so they can return to the UK for at least the next five years

July 1

Phase three of UK import checks introduced, covering all goods

November 1

26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26)

December 2021

BPS payment cuts begin in England

Some point in 2021:

• UK-Australia trade deal expected to be signed
• Defra consultation on delinking and lump sum exit payments
• Launch of English Farming Resilience Programme, providing advice to farmers hardest hit by BPS loss
• Detailed payment rates for Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) pilot published
• Pilot for final version of SFI begins
• English Farming Investment Fund to boost productivity opens for applications
• Defra consultation on welfare labelling
• Defra consultation on increased capacity requirements for slurry stores
• Defra consultation on future of producer organisations