I welcome the guarantees made by the Environment Secretary, Michael Gove, to farmers- in cash terms- for a number of years beyond the planned post-Brexit transition period, probably until around 2024. In a speech at the Oxford Farming Conference today, he pledged to help farmers, land managers and owners make the transition from the current system of EU subsidy to a new approach which will reward delivery of public goods, such as improved productivity, flood risk reductions, biodiversity and public access to the countryside. Mr Gove also said that the Government will continue support for the Countryside Stewardship agreements entered into before leaving the EU and that it will ensure that no one in the existing scheme is unfairly disadvantaged when we move to the new arrangements. Mr Gove confirmed that the 2019 BPS (Basic Payment Schemes) will be paid on the same basis as it is now and that this will continue for a transition period which will last a number of years beyond the two year implementation period, (with some changes for larger landowners) following a consultation with the sector. This will ensure that farmers who receive a BPS payment will have a guaranteed income during the transition period. After this period BPS will be replaced with a system of public money for public goods. I know that farmers and landowners across Thirsk and Malton are understandably worried about how the changes, post Brexit, will affect them. The feedback from the sector in my constituency has been well received and helped inform policy and I am pleased that the Secretary of State has clarified the Government’s position and has guaranteed payments until around 2024. I also welcome Mr Gove’s vision for the future of farming; embracing change and new technologies, simplifying systems, reducing inspections, maintaining animal and environmental standards to ensure we have a thriving agriculture sector, healthy rural economy and beautiful landscapes.