FWAG Urges Upland Farmers to Go for UELS!

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), the leading provider of independent environmental farmland advice, is urging upland farmers to embrace the new Upland Entry Level Scheme following its launch yesterday at Blaze Farm in Wildboarclough, Cheshire.

Although FWAG has concerns that the scheme is complex and does pose difficulties for those farmers that have land on short-term lets, it believes that UELS does give upland farmers the chance to secure their Less Favoured Area payment into the long term.

If they sign up for this scheme, FWAG says that farmers can choose those options that best suit their farming system, but at the same time offer considerable benefits to wildlife and the upland environment. There are also a set of simple requirements, which if farmers are farming responsibly, should not prove too onerous.

FWAG acknowledges that the additional paperwork will be a challenge for farmers in the hills, who already have the burden of sheep EID (electronic identification) and in many cases, the new NVZ rules to contend with. However, with an additional payment of £32/ha on non-moorland SDA and £15/ha for moorland SDA, farmers can’t afford to ignore it.

Chloe Palmer, FWAG’s Upland Spokesperson and Regional Director for the North commented:

’FWAG would urge all farmers to look hard at the Upland Entry Level Scheme and submit an application at the earliest opportunity so that you don’t lose out. Natural England is committed to providing free advice to help farmers but FWAG will be very pleased to help its farmer members through the process’.

She added, ’We are pleased that this scheme demonstrates the Government’s acknowledgement of the importance of the Uplands as the UK’s most beautiful and treasured landscapes. The Uplands are special partly because of the hard work of farmers, grouse moor managers and others who are committed to maintaining these habitats.’

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group will be organising a range of events throughout the North focusing on Upland issues, habitats and the new UELS scheme. For more information, contact your local FWAG office.