Ecosystem approach is an 'untested concept'

Proposals by the Welsh government on the management and regulation of the environment has been cautiously welcomed by farming unions.

In its submission to the Welsh Government’s Sustaining a Living Wales Green Paper, which seeks to generate the views of farmers, landowners and businesses, NFU Cymru stressed that focusing on an ecosystem approach does have its virtues but as yet it is an untested concept in its infancy.

Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru Rural Affairs Board Chairman said, "By 2050 the global population will be approaching nine billion and with the added challenge of climate change, food shortages are likely, however Welsh farmers are well-positioned to play a key role in meeting food needs in this country and also contributing to global food demands."

"There will be a need for us to produce more food, farmers manage over 80% of the total Welsh land area and we fully appreciate that we as farmers and growers carry a unique responsibility for managing the countryside. We are keen to demonstrate that food production and managing additional ecosystem services that the natural environment provides, such as biodiversity, can go hand in hand."

The Welsh Government’s consultation makes reference to National Ecosystem Assessment (NEA), which sets out a number of future scenarios and looks at possible policies and practices that might have to be put in place to protect ecosystems in the future however, NFU Cymru in its response urged caution on the economic valuations assigned to ecosystem services.

Bernard Llewellyn said, “The model used by the NEA is far too simplistic and uncertain. Market prices are used to capture the value of agricultural produce, which is then compared against the value of non- market goods like biodiversity. Using such a crude technique does not take into account the fact that market power diminishes farm gate prices to a level below the value which consumers place on their food, as well as ignoring the likely increases in food prices expected over the next 50 years.”

In its response NFU Cymru also reiterated its concerns regarding the Rural Development Plan (RDP) for Wales, which Union representatives recently raised in a meeting with Alun Davies, the Deputy Minister for Agriculture.

Bernard Llewellyn said, “The consultation states that the RDP for Wales will continue to be a key mechanism for delivering the new approach to land and water management in Wales which is something we agree with. However, whilst one department of Government appears to be concurring with our view that farmers are under-rewarded for their environmental management, another is proposing at the same time to reduce the focus on agri-environmental measures by 20 per cent and in doing so recognises the effects that this would have on farm incomes and environmental goals.”

Mr Llewellyn ended, “Finally it is important that this new approach to the management of the natural environment in Wales is communicated clearly to farmers and land managers within Wales. What is proposed to be delivered through this framework must also be practical to deliver on the ground.  We hope that NFU Cymru’s views are taken on board by the Welsh Government to help move the debate on to how we can produce more but impact less.”