Organisations from New Forest have presented the government with a paper outlining how future agricultural schemes could protect the forest environment.
New Forest, an area which includes one of the largest remaining tracts of unenclosed pasture land, heathland and forest in the heavily populated south east of England, has called for a locally managed and led support scheme to be put in place post-2020.
The organisations, which includes the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and NFU, said the scheme should reward the New Forest’s farmers for the environmental services that they provide, either through practising their common rights or managing their land within and around the National Park.
The paper and covering letter was presented to Defra Minister Lord Gardiner at the New Forest Show during National Parks Week.
It says that New Forest organisations are already farming with the environment and public benefit in mind, as set out in Environment Secretary Michael Gove’s speech last week (21 July) calling for a ‘Green Brexit’.
"Our farmers are already doing exactly what the Secretary of State hopes for when he spoke recently about his vision for a “Green Brexit”," the letter said.
"With our proven record of partnership working we continue to be effective custodians of the National Park’s landscape, protecting and improving it for future generations, and providing a major public benefit.
"We believe that our farmers should be rewarded for that public benefit."
Fragile landscape
Commoning and farming are vital in maintaining the fragile New Forest landscape, over 50% of which has the highest level of environmental designations to protect its rare habitats and species.
The Forest was awarded the Verderers Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme in 2010 – the largest HLS scheme in Europe.
In partnership with the NPA and Forestry Commission, it provides £19m of European funding over 10 years to enhance the landscape further and bring it up to standard. However this funding expires in 2020.
New Forest National Park Authority Chairman Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre said: "We are pleased to be able to echo the words of the Secretary of State – our farmers, Verderers and landowners have always respected the beauty of the landscape and working with the environment and the public good in mind is at the heart of what we do.
"The Forest’s organisations already have a strong track record of delivering the best on a landscape scale for the New Forest’s environment, society and economy.
"So we have come together to present this case at a critical time and we hope that it will assist in looking after the Forest for future generations."
