Dual use decision a win for environmental protection, says the CLA

CLA Director of Policy and Advice Christopher Price said: “The dual use system is fundamental to sustaining important agri-environment schemes"
CLA Director of Policy and Advice Christopher Price said: “The dual use system is fundamental to sustaining important agri-environment schemes"

Farming Minister George Eustice announced yesterday that dual use will continue under Countryside Stewardship.

Dual use - where a landowner receives a payment for an environmental management scheme and another, usually a farming tenant, receives a support payment under the common agricultural policy on the same parcel of land at the same time - is vital to the protection of wildlife and biodiversity.

CLA Director of Policy and Advice Christopher Price said: “The dual use system is fundamental to sustaining important agri-environment schemes. In many cases it is the landowner who is investing in providing habitats for wildlife, managing woodland and waterways and so they should receive the payment.

“The CLA has been campaigning for this continuation for some time and this is a big win for farmers and landowners who wish to protect and improve the land that they manage.

“However, we are disappointed that dual use will not be made available to Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship applications for 2016. The CLA will continue to push for clarity on this matter.”