CLA lobbying secures reward system for farmers in the uplands
The CLA has welcomed the announcement from the Secretary of State that the Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) is to be replaced with a new uplands strand of Environmental Stewardship (UELS).
CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "The uplands are some of are most breath-taking landscapes, steeped in history and home to some of the world's most fragile habitats and wildlife.
"It is due to the hard work of our hill farmers that these areas provide so much enjoyment to so many. We welcome the government's commitment to replace the HFA with a scheme that will reward farmers for looking after this unique area. However, it is imperative that Defra ensures that the scheme is simple, flexible and open to all if hill farming is to survive."
He added: "Abandonment of land is already occurring in many of our upland areas as farmers can no longer afford to manage them.
"While UELS will potentially be able to provide a lifeline to many, it is vital farmers are adequately rewarded for the higher costs associated with delivering the environmental goods and services in our upland areas so that they can help meet England's food and environmental security challenge."
The CLA will continue to work with Defra and Natural England to ensure the new scheme will fit in with upland farm systems allowing further business development. On-farm testing of UELS is already underway on several members' farms across England and the CLA will ensure that the results of this testing is incorporated into the scheme. While UELS will not provide the solution for the crisis being seen in these areas, the CLA continues to work with other organisations to find new solutions.
CLA South West has been instrumental in working with other organisations - forming the South West Uplands Taskforce and in staging the sold-out conference 'What Future the South West Uplands?'
At the conference, the Taskforce published and gained support for a 10-point action plan for upland areas which it is now seeking to implement.
