CFE: Farmers urged to join campaign for face compulsory legislation

Farmers must join an initiative to protect and enhance England's countryside or face a raft of compulsory environmental regulations within three years.

Described as the most ambitious farming campaign ever, the Campaign for the Farmed Environment follows a ground-breaking deal between farm leaders and the government to prevent the reintroduction of set-aside.

The initiative is an industry-led voluntary approach to retaining the environmental benefits once provided by set-aside. But the government has warned that compulsory regulations will be introduced unless farmers sign up to it.

Farmers will be encouraged to target three key areas - farmland birds, farm wildlife and resource protection - through a combination of environmental stewardship, fallow land and additional voluntary measures.

Producers already in Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) will be asked to choose at least one in-field option when they renew their agreements - as some 40,000 are expected to do next year. Farmers not in ELS will be urged to join as soon as possible.

All farmers will be asked to retain their current area of uncropped land and adopt at least one additional voluntary measure to meet the campaign targets. Farm advisers are being trained to help producers select the best options.

The campaign was officially launched at NFU president Peter Kendall's farm at Eyeworth, Bedfordshire, on Thursday (5 November). All farmers, land managers and advisers had a key role in making it a success, he said.

"This is all about delivering a culture change in both farming practices and the way we approach regulation," Mr Kendall warned. "It's the most ambitious campaign farming has ever faced."

The alternative was a regulatory approach which threatened to impose more red tape and costs on farmers and growers. The whole industry, from suppliers and advisers to farmers and landowners, must make the campaign work.

A host of farming organisations and conservation groups is supporting the campaign. They include the RSPB, which was initially sceptical about its merits, and the Country Land and Business Association.

CLA president Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: "The industry can work together to solve environmental challenges without the need for costly and burdensome regulation. However, it will take commitment from every one of us to make the campaign a success."

The government is also backing the campaign. DEFRA secretary Hilary Benn is determined to retain the environmental benefits of set-aside. But he has made it clear he will consider compulsory measures if it fails.

Mr Benn said: "For those yet to join a scheme, we want to encourage them to take voluntary action that best fits how they farm, so they can support wildlife and protect water quality while continuing to produce food in a sustainable way."

Campaign targets