We are concerned that Defra is already in the process of delivering its multi-billion pound ELM programme, representing the biggest change to farming policy in decades and a central delivery mechanism for the Government’s environmental goals, without having published any measurable objectives. We understand that the process of developing objectives is underway, but we are already nearly a year into the agricultural transition and Defra has not explained in detail how it will show that the money being taken away from farm payments is being spent effectively. This should happen as soon as possible, and definitely before the Sustainable Farming Incentive opens for applications in 2022, representing the start of the ELM schemes proper. Before the SFI application window opens in 2022, Defra should publish precise, measurable objectives for ELM and explain how it intends to track progress towards achieving these goals. Defra should provide detail on how these objectives will contribute to the Government’s wider environmental ambitions, and will be integrated with other policies and delivery mechanisms including Local Nature Recovery Strategies. It should also set out the role Natural England will play in evaluating schemes and ensuring that they are joined up with other policies.