Government backs farm success

An agricultural success story has been given the go-ahead by Defra to run for a further three years with Bassenthwaite farmers coming in for praise.

The area's Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) project was one of the country's first four pilot schemes to improve lakes, rivers and coasts. It was later rolled out by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to include 40 districts.

Since 2005, 95 per cent of farmers around Bassenthwaite have taken part in an initiative aimed at reducing soil loss from agricultural land and managing fertiliser use.

Acting area CSF organiser Shirley Muir said local farmers had given enthusiastic backing to workshops, soil testing and advice and thanked them for their support.

"They are the key to our success," she said. "We have tested soil from more than 800 fields and been able to identify which need artificial fertilisers and which don't.

"Three quarters of the land was found to have sufficient levels of phosphate and didn't need any extra adding. By applying only nitrogen fertilisers, farmers have been able to make a 28 per cent saving."

Shirley said it had been important to cut down the amount of phosphate and loose soil entering watercourses leading to Bassenthwaite Lake, where sediment and poor water quality is affecting some of the country's best wildlife.

"We are delighted Defra has seen fit to extend funding until 2011. It means we can build on our achievements so far and make sure changes can be sustained in the future."

Anyone wanting more information about CSF should contact Shirley Muir on 01768 891444 email shirley.muir@naturalengland.org.uk