Thoughts on the Campaign for the Farmed Environment by Anthony Field

I recently attended the Kent launch of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment at the Montreal Estate hosted by the Farm Manager, James Standen, and by kind permission of the Jaques family.

There is little doubt in farming circles that we are in danger of being choked by excessive regulation and red tape.

In 2009 the Government carried out a consultation on ways to recapture the environmental benefits that had previously been obtained through set-aside. The options were:

1. A regulatory approach enforced by DEFRA.
2. A voluntary approach led by the farming industry.

At the Royal Show Hilary Benn announced a challenge to the farming industry for us to embrace the voluntary approach and avoid further regulation.

The success or failure of this campaign is to be assessed against targets based on:-

• Uptake of the Entry Level Stewardship Scheme (ELS) particularly relating to in-field options
• Retention of uncropped land
• Increased voluntary environmental management

This provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the industry’s commitment to the environment through recording fallow land on SPS claim forms and delivering just one extra environmental measure outside of any ELS agreement.

If those targets are not met by 2012, enforced regulation seems certain.

I have been heavily involved with many ELS and HLS applications and am convinced that the Scheme offers an excellent opportunity for farmers and landowners to obtain improved income from less profitable elements of their farms.

I know of no SPS claimant who is not motivated in part by improving the biodiversity on their farm often due to significant sporting and amenity benefits. Many of our clients already invest significant time and money into voluntary measures to improve habitats on their properties, but few shout about this to the Government and relevant pressure groups.

Through making sure the Government are aware of our existing efforts, embracing voluntary measures to improve habitats and by entering the ELS and making unprofitable parts of the farm profitable, we have the opportunity to prove that as custodians of the countryside there is no-one better placed to deliver the healthy environment which is essential for sustainable farming.

There is excellent support available to farmers interested in joining the Campaign from Frances Clayton at frances.clayton@cfeonline.org.uk or on 07778 920616 or alternatively contact me at the office.