Farming Secretary Michael Gove has this week set out his plans for the future of farming in a post-Brexit Britain.

Legislation to deliver a cleaner and healthier environment for future generations after nearly half a century under EU rules was introduced into parliament on Wednesday.

The Agriculture Bill sets out how farmers and land managers will in future be paid for 'public goods', such as better air and water quality, improved soil health, higher animal welfare standards, public access to the countryside and measures to reduce flooding.

Mr Gove said: "The introduction of the Agriculture Bill is an historic moment as we leave the EU and move towards a brighter future for farming.

"After nearly 50 years of being tied to burdensome and outdated EU rules, we have an opportunity to deliver a Green Brexit.

"This Bill will allow us to reward farmers who protect our environment, leaving the countryside in a cleaner, greener and healthier state for future generations.

"Critically, we will also provide the smooth and gradual transition that farmers and land managers need to plan ahead."

The legislation is designed to replace the current subsidy system of direct payments, which the minister views as ineffective and pays farmers based on the total amount of land farmed.

These payments are skewed towards the largest landowners and are not linked to any specific public benefits. The top 10 per cent of recipients currently receive almost 50 per cent of total payments, while the bottom 20 percent receive just two per cent.

In its place, a new Environmental Land Management system, with government working together with farmers to design, develop and trial the new approach out next year.

Farmers and land managers who provide the greatest environmental benefits will secure the largest rewards, laying the foundations for a 'Green Brexit'.

There may also be funding available for farmers to come together to develop and get the research projects that they want and need, whether that be on soil health or sustainable livestock farming.

This will lead to practical gains for farmers that help them become more profitable and reduce their environmental footprint.

The government will also be able to make payments during the seven year transition period for farmers to invest in new technologies and methods that boost productivity.