THE future of farm agri-environmental grants will be discussed at North Yorkshire FWAG's bi-annual forum at the Angel Inn, Topcliffe, at 6.30 on Thursday.

Phil Lyth, FWAG adviser, said the situation would change completely over the next two years, with the recent mid-term CAP review confirming increases in the proportion of farm subsidy being directed towards the farm environment rather than production, and with the current review of agri-environment schemes by Defra.

The evening will be chaired by Mark Exelby, North Yorkshire FWAG vice-chairman and a Grewelthorpe farmer.

Neil Clark of Defra will give the background to the agri-environment review being carried out by his the department. Cara Courage, also from Defra, will explain the proposals so far for the planned entry level scheme, and James Ede, new NFU regional policy adviser, will outline how the recent CAP review is likely to affect farmers.