UK – The National Farmers Union (NFU) has welcomed the decision by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to pay the additional payment element of the upcoming dairy premiums as a straight top up.

The agreement on the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) last year made provision for a direct payment to be made to dairy farmers, in order to partially offset the reduction in EU support prices.

DEFRA has been persuaded that a straight top-up would be the most straightforward solution, and the one likely to work in the best interests of the majority of English and Welsh farmers.