Speaking at the Oxford Farming Conference, Mrs Truss also promised she would end European Commission plans to force farmers to put up posters advertising the fact they receive EU subsidies, increase exports to new markets such as China and launch a new 25-year plan within months.
While she praised the work of the RPA during what she called challenging times, she said that the RPA would continue to improve and that she would provide Mark Grimshaw and his team with as many resources to ensure all BPS payments would go out as soon as possible.
Mrs Truss said that she was also determined to rollout the badger cull programme further with England due to be 50 per cent TB-free by 2020.
“I am absolutely committed to eradicating bovine TB. We are making good progress against what is the gravest animal disease threat facing Britain, with half of England due to be declared TB free by 2020,” she added.
“Our approach to tackling the disease is based on cattle and wildlife. This approached has worked in Australia and it is working in Ireland and New Zealand. And thanks to the dedication and efforts of local farmers, all three areas – Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset – hit their targets in 2015. The chief veterinary officer is clear that this policy needs to be followed over a wider area to secure full disease control benefits. And that’s why I announced in line with this advice, I want to see culling in more areas this year.”
Other announcements included that the previously announced Great British Food Unit had started work this week; and that Defra would be working with the levy boards to deliver a new marketing campaign to promote British produce.
“We have a long-term plan to improve competitiveness and build Britain’s resilience. The global challenges we face bring huge opportunities and new prosperity, new jobs and environmental progress. This will require a bold ambition and bold solutions. Together we can make sure our farmers and food producers take the lead in feeding the world.” Read Liz Truss' speech here.
Shadow secretary Kerry McCarthy also spoke during the session in which she recognised that many farmers, including dairy and pig producers, were running at a loss in a 'broken market' and would want to boost the powers of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA). Read Kerry McCarthy's speech here.
A question and answer session followed from the floor, they were quizzed on various subjects including TB, floods and BPS payments.
:: The Secretary of State's speech can be read on the Gov.UK website here