Prove you are custodians of the countryside – Paice

Farm minister Jim Paice has marked the first anniversary of the launch of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment with the message that more farmers must take part.

“I’ve heard a clear message from farmers that they are the best custodians of the countryside,” he said. “Now is the time for them to prove this, and to demonstrate that they can take responsibility for their environment.

“It is vital for more farmers to rise to the challenges set by the campaign, and to show that the industry can take the lead in helping to enhance farmland birds, wildlife, soil and water.”

By June 2012 the campaign must increase the current national level of voluntary environmental management by at least 30,000 hectares and retain 179,000 hectares of uncropped land across England.

Since the launch of the CFE on November 5 2009, more than 60 beacon farms have been established to demonstrate the initiative working in practice.

There has also been a 13% increase in the uptake of key target options in Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) across the campaign target counties.

CFE partners say this is a step in the right direction but they have urged all farmers renewing or joining ELS to ensure that they include key target options in their agreements to help the campaign achieve its targets by 2012.
 
NFU president Peter Kendall said over the past year farmers and land managers had supported the campaign by adopting measures that replicate the benefits of set-aside.

“We are now looking for a commitment from every farmer and land manager across England to make the campaign a continuing success. Only this will ensure the industry isn’t faced with more regulation which could take 5% of our farmland out of production.”
 
CLA president William Worsley added he was pleased to see so many farmers and land managers tweaking their game mixes, retaining their uncropped land and choosing key ELS management options when renewing agreements.

“However, there is still more to be done if the industry is to meet the campaign’s targets, so it is vital we get behind the campaign so we can better argue against regulation on industry’s behalf in future.”

* There will be a CFE regional conference aimed at farmers and advisers at Newark Showground on 18 November. For details telephone 07824 311106 or email Lesley Sharpe.

* Read more about the Campaign for the Farmed Environment