Boost for livestock farming and the environment in the East of England
Farmers, landowners, conservationists and Defra have united in the East of England to support the region's livestock industry.
A partnership has been established to work with the region's beef and sheep farmers, who are essential to the environmental management of grassland and to the local food economy.
The Undergrazing Programming Group, chaired by Lady Caroline Cranbrook, wants to halt the trend of farmers leaving livestock production.
Lady Cranbrook said:
"Biodiversity in the region's grassland and in most of our wildlife reserves depends on regular grazing. Such diverse habitats as the Ouse Washes, the Breckland, the coastal and river valley grasslands of Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex, along with myriads of small nature reserves all have to be regularly grazed by livestock to maintain their wildlife.
"Livestock farming is also very important since it underpins the local food economy by providing quality meat which can be sold at farmers markets, farm shops, butchers, village shops, pubs and restaurants."
A combination of factors is affecting the livestock industry, including increasing imports, a decline in local abattoirs, consolidation in meat processing and retailing, and changes in the way support payments are paid under the Common Agricultural Policy.
The partnership is being launched with funding from the regional Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. It aims to offer practical help for livestock farmers to increase their profitability. Planned activities include training courses, support for local abattoirs and cutting plants, action plans for small environmental sites and closer co-operation between farmers and conservationists.
The project will culminate with the launch of a farmer's toolkit, which will help land managers identify opportunities for their livestock businesses through adding value, reducing costs or developing co-operatives. There will also be a regional conference to demonstrate the lessons learnt.
Michael Mack, (Project Manager for Defra) said:
"Our beef and sheep industry is small but it is critically important to the correct management of the region's grassland. The recent decline in cattle and sheep numbers and the diminishing infrastructure on which the industry depends is creating increasing environmental and economic problems for the region.
"The partner organisations involved with the project have committed funding and time which complements the support offered through the regional Strategy for Sustainable Farming and Food. This commitment and cooperation helps to illustrate the extent and complexity of this problem."
