DEFRA decision means industry must deliver on environmental commitments

The decision announced by Defra today to back the industry-led Campaign for the Farmed Environment as the best option for retaining the environment benefits of set-aside is extremely welcome news. The farming industry must now deliver on its promises to secure and enhance the environmental management of farmland.

Campaign partners the NFU, CLA, AIC, FWAG, GWCT and LEAF will be working collectively and in partnership with environmental groups and Government agencies across England to deliver the Campaign. The CFE was developed after Secretary of State Hilary Benn challenged the industry to come up with a convincing alternative to cross-compliance. It will positively engage farmers, growers and, crucially, their advisers in taking up management activities that will boost farmland birds, wider biodiversity and water quality in a way that is agronomically sensible.

Speaking after the announcement, made at the Royal Show, NFU President Peter Kendall said: "I am very pleased that the Secretary of State has shown confidence in our proposals which are about delivering a culture change in both farming and approaches to regulation. It will prove to be an important example of how the industry, working in partnership with Government and its agencies, can develop practical alternatives to regulation. The Campaign is ambitious and provides a long- term method of working collectively on environmental issues with the farming community. We are absolutely determined to make it succeed.

"We are convinced this is the best solution for both the environment and farm businesses. But we must now deliver on our promises together with our industry partners, government agencies and conservation groups."

CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "People who own and work on farms have demonstrated their environmental responsibility time and again and it is only fair they have a say in how their land is used to benefit the environment.

"The industry will do its utmost to encourage farmers and land managers to take part in the voluntary scheme and we look forward to working with our partners in conservation and Government agencies to help us achieve the campaigns objectives. The industry partners trust Government will give this the time it needs to work. We call on farmers and land managers to continue maintaining their former set-aside areas as these will make important contributions to the Campaign’s targets."

Hugh Oliver-Bellasis, Vice-Chairman of the GWCT, which has been instrumental in carrying out much of the research that underpins Stewardship options, is delighted with the result of this joint campaign. He said: "This decision means that we now have a golden opportunity to show that we can deliver biodiversity on our farms, especially as many of us are coming up to renew our Stewardship agreements. By choosing the ’in-field’ options, such as wild bird seed mixes and pollen and nectar mixes, we can collectively make huge strides in reversing the declines of many farmland bird species."

Caroline Drummond, Chief Executive of LEAF, said: "We see this as a great opportunity to help enhance farmers’ business performance while making a positive contribution to improve the environment. During these challenging times for farming it is vital that we build on farmers’ experiences and this voluntary approach will help deliver some of the finer details of Integrated Farm Management.

"Farmer to farmer exchange will be a key part in delivering this voluntary approach, and it will build on the experiences of the LEAF Demonstration Farmers network which has helped debate and support different approaches to adopt sustainable agriculture over the last 18 years."

Andy Ormiston, Managing Director of FWAG, said: "We are delighted that we’ve collectively earned the opportunity to demonstrate what a fantastic job farmers do for the environment alongside their farming activity. We’re looking forward to using our national network of county-based groups, advisers, members and contacts who are experienced in delivering practical farm conservation advice to demonstrate how to achieve the challenging targets that have been agreed."

Paul Rooke, from AIC, said: "Adoption by Defra of a voluntary approach challenges those providing agronomy and farm business advice to develop consistent advice giving growers maximum opportunity to blend the Campaign themes with sustainable production. AIC welcomes the opportunity to develop training to achieve this aim."