I know a few farmers who voted brexit
They did this because they genuinely thought that a better system for supporting good farming would be put in its place,which would be better than the rather blunt instrument of the CAP.
Although the UK government already had a lot of leeway to do things differently under the CAP, but chose not to.
There were certainly no injunctions against improving environmental standards, curbing the stranglehold of the multiples, supporting better farming, nor against encouraging lots of other beneficial actions, but the UK government chose not to do those things.
Under their 'let the market decide' way of operating.
That way of operating failed, as it's so short term.
I don't know any of those farmers who don't now regret that decision.
They see how they've been conned.
The CAP.definitely needs reforming (again) the reason it went to mostly basic area payments with a little bit of greening on the side
(Pillar 1 and Pillar 2) is because European farmers did what they were told to do..
Post war, poduced massive amounts of commodities for the short term, using large amounts of inputs, which had in their turn, very damaging consequences for the environment, and markets.
That's why subsidies on production were removed years ago - although people still talk about subsidies for farmers - they don't actually exist any more.
But now we can't have any part in those CAP reforms
We get to design our own system of support..
Although that's taking a long time, and leaving many farmers highly uncertain about what the future holds.
Especially those locked out if, or at least very much impeded from accessing EU markets
Farming is a long term game, or should be if you're doing it right
Building soils, biodiversity, and sustainability for future generations.
Whilst producing good food now, for people now.
With returns as they are, workforce diminished, and future markets destabilised by brexit, and the threat of unregulated imports, all that is really hard to plan for.