Environmental improvement must involve grass roots farmers

The Tenant Farmers Association has responded to the publication of the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper by stressing the need to ensure that farmers are allowed to play a central role in the delivery of its objectives.

Speaking before the Royal Cornwall Show TFA National Chairman Jeremy Walker said, "We support much of the aspiration of the Government, in particular to see a more outcome-driven approach to enhancing the natural environment. However, it will be vital that tenant farmers and others who have been managing the landscape for generations are fully involved in developing and implementing new approaches that will be needed to see the Government’s plans succeed".

"A key driver identified within the White Paper is the reconnection of land managers with the public. Shows like the Royal Cornwall provide a great opportunity to achieve this. There are many farming, environmental and other stands for the public to visit and through this we can develop a valuable dialogue on how farming and the environment can develop hand in hand", said Mr Walker.

"Tenant farmers, through their tenancy agreements, already adhere to high standards of management of land and environmental features. They will know the land they farm intimately and will understand better than anyone what will and will not work. Those implementing policy for the farmed environment would do well to learn lessons from these tenants", said Mr Walker.