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Sometimes there are issues that are so complex, with so many contrasting views, that it leaves me feeling bewildered. One such issue raised its head when the government published its Agricultural Transition Plan last week. I am still trying to get my head around it all.
I am very much in the 'reading and contemplating' phase. I am not sure I have an opinion as I know I need to become more informed and understand the views from different sides. I hope this thread might help signpost others to sources of information to learn more.
Equally I would love it if others could reply to this to direct me to other sources of information. I want to know more about the history of farming policies, farm support payments and other opinions on all of this. I am aware there is a lot to understand!
Firstly it seems to me that THE person to follow for all of this is @JanetHughes. She is the programme director for #FutureFarming at DEFRA and has been tweeting links to all the relevant documents. https://twitter.com/JanetHughes/status/1333410340755955715?s=20
Another useful person who appears to have some excellent insider DEFRA knowledge is @jojabaker . His thread here was particularly helpful: https://twitter.com/jojabaker/status/1333399546135781377?s=20
Another great thread that helped explain some things for me came from @HawfordFarm from Natural England, see here: https://twitter.com/HawfordFarm/status/1333156271353163783?s=20
A farmer who I deeply admire and who I feel always talks a lot of sense is @herdyshepherd1 . His thread on this here was useful and took a more holistic look at this issue: https://twitter.com/herdyshepherd1/status/1333335912407818240?s=20
@inkcapjournal have done a nice short summary of some of the key bits and bobs relating to the policy announcement too. Subscribe to them for it. You get tonnes of other amazing content to.
The @WildlifeTrusts hosted an excellent discussion on the future of British farming. It featured @CraigBennett3 @Minette_Batters @JanetHughes @vickihird James Adler and Stephen Honeywood. Brilliant discussion on a range of issues. Watch here:
There will be plenty more out there and so much that I have missed. Please let me know about it! I need to get on and read more, particularly some of the DEFRA documents. Once I have I may well tweet again some of my initial thoughts to see what others think. Dialogue is key! 
Another excellent source of information on the Agricultural Transition plan is this podcast by @FGAbiKay @FarmersGuardian : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-does-agricultural-transition-plan-mean-for-post/id1541326258?i=1000501330869 Also features @JanetHughes and Sarah Baker from @TheAHDB. Very informative and insightful discussion.
Another brilliant thread on the Agricultural Transition that I have been alerted to (thanks @louis_phipps) is this one by @JRDSills. It is very long and complex but well worth the time to get into some of the nitty-gritty issues! https://twitter.com/JRDSills/status/1334611576981217282?s=20
