Brexit is a chance for farming reform –but we must get the policy right | Ngaire Woods

Brexiteers argue UK agriculture will be more competitive once freed from the CAP, but the sector needs political support

The United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union no doubt carries many risks. But, if British politicians and business leaders are right, it also creates an important opportunity: the possibility of building a safer, greener, more efficient, and more innovative farming sector. If the UK manages to seize this opportunity, the EU, the United States and other economies with highly protected agricultural sectors might follow suit.

As it stands, large parts of UK agriculture are locked into the EU's common agricultural policy, which is accused of driving the sector toward larger, more industrial and more environmentally damaging practices, including by failing to support farm diversity and directing payments to Britain's wealthiest landowners. A 2005 investigation found that the 3bn ($3.9bn) in subsidies that the UK receives from the CAP went largely to major agribusiness and food-manufacturing companies, such as Nestli(C), Cadbury, and Kraft.

Related: British farmers warn loss of EU workers will see strawberry prices soar