September 13, 2019 5.00 pm This story is over 69 months old

Lincolnshire farmers harvest over £125m in a year from the EU

Some significant payments were made
Photo: Stock image

Farmers and other landowners in Lincolnshire have collectively gained over £125 million in a year from the European Union.

Research by Lincolnshire European Movement established that this figure was gained in the year ending October 15, 2018 as a result of its membership of the EU.

According to the statistics from Defra, this is an increase on the previous two years. The total received in 2016 was £106,426,035.45. This rose up to £120,485,140.38 in 2017. The total received in 2018 was £125,566,712.47

In some areas of Lincolnshire the payments made in the form of subsidies and grants to farmers and landowners are significant  They include:

  • £8.4 million in the PE12 postcode area covering Holbeach and Long Sutton
  • £7.7 million in the PE22 postcode area covering Friskney, Sibsey & Wrangle
  • £8.4 million in the LN4 postcode area covering Branston, Coningsby, Metheringham & Tattershall
  • £9.4 million in the LN8 postcode area covering Binbrook, Legsby, Market Rasen, Tealby & Wragby
  • £8.7 million in the LN11 postcode area covering Louth, Manby, North Somercotes & Saltfleet
  • £6.5 million in the NG34 postcode area covering Heckington, Ruskington & Sleaford

Lincolnshire County Council, Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust and the Burghley House Preservation Trust are among some of the more notable beneficiaries.

In addition, the National Trust received over £9 million in the year ending October 15, 2018.

The Government indicated they will introduce a replacement subsidy scheme, but due to the Proroguing of Parliament it isn’t certain that the legislation would be implemented in time should we leave the European Union.

John Bland, Chair of Lincolnshire European Movement said: “The fact that the Agriculture Bill has been sacrificed for the Government to seemingly stifle Parliamentary scrutiny should be of a concern to all farmers.

“This bill was drafted on the assumption that there would be a deal. It now appears that the Government are seeking to pursue the most reckless of Brexits. One without a deal.

“Whatever you think about the merits of the scheme and the way it is administered by DEFRA, these payments collectively make a significant difference to the Lincolnshire rural economy.

“It is little wonder that the National Farmers Union are deeply concerned about the risks of a No Deal Brexit, nor it is a surprise that support for the Farmers for a People’s Vote campaign is gaining momentum.”