Partnership is key to future of Lakes farming

Farmers in the Lake District have been reassured that the National Park Authority wants a positive working relationship with farming communities to ensure the effective management and protection of the Lake District landscape while ensuring a sustainable profitable existence for Lake District farmers.

A report to the LDNPA’s Strategy and Vision Committee later this month (26 October) urges members to adopt a commitment to support farmers in the national park and to "work together to build a mutual understanding and appreciation of what we do."

Written by LDNPA Director of Park Services Bob Cartwright, the report seeks to "put the record straight" and assure farmers that the national park wants to work with them to try to solve the many problems currently facing their industry.

The report was requested after the LDNPA’s deputy chairman John Hayton expressed concerns in July that elements of the farming community thought the national park was not on their side.

But Bob’s report said this while this was far away from the truth, people had to realise that "the structure of farming is changing and its economic viability is unpredictable." Together the LDNPA and farmers could improve the national park’s special qualities by promoting:

• food production and distinctive local produce;

• production of materials and fuel from our woodlands;

• greater carbon storage in our soils and vegetation;

• clean air and clean drinking water; and

• biodiversity through varied habitats and species.

Currently agriculture and farming directly employ about 13,000 people locally, and the physical and cultural landscape created by the farming industry acts as a major draw for the 15.8 million visitors to the Lake District each year.

"Our commitment remains to support farmers to adapt to changing circumstances and work closely with farmers to identify and resolve issues affecting farming locally. We will do this by supporting sustainable land management, which brings environmental, social and economic benefits.

"Farming is essential to the Vision for the Lake District National Park. We cannot manage, protect or enhance the national park without skilled farmers and land managers," the report concluded.