DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (48/09) issued by
COI News Distribution Service. 4 March 2009
People will be
asked for their views on two different approaches to enhancing
farmland wildlife habitats and the natural environment in a
consultation paper published today by Environment Secretary Hilary Benn.
Although set-aside was originally introduced as a way of
controlling production, it also resulted in a range of
environmental and biodiversity benefits for our countryside.
Set-aside has now been abolished and the consultation asks how
best to regain these benefits.
Following the recent CAP health check, the consultation also
seeks views on:
* Introducing wider buffer strips next to water courses to
improve water quality;
* Improving soil management guidance to
encourage farmers to undertake more active management of risks
such as soil erosion and compaction; and
* Promoting the
management and restoration of hedge banks.
Mr Benn emphasised the need to strike the right balance between
reducing burdens on farmers and ensuring that the natural
environment - on which farming depends - is maintained.
He said:
"Farming is hugely important, not just to produce the food
we eat but also to maintain the landscape which we hold so dear
and on which our ability to produce food in the future depends.
"We stand ready to support an industry-led way of doing this
if it can deliver what's needed, with industry-wide ownership
and leadership.
"Farmers do much to help already, and we need to ensure that
the environmental benefits of set aside are not lost amid
regulations. That's why it's important that we get views
from all interested parties so that we can protect and enhance
natural wildlife habitats without hindering farmers."
The chosen approach must have benefits for wildlife habitats and
protect the soil, water and biodiversity on which farming
ultimately relies.
In addition the chosen approach must demonstrate that it can be
implemented in time for the 2010/11 cropping season.
Under Option A, a combination of mandatory and incentive-based
measures would introduce a new cross compliance condition linked
to Common Agricultural Policy subsidies, requiring farmers in
England to manage a small percentage of their cultivated land
primarily for environmental purposes. This could include
management options allowing production to continue on the land.
Entry Level Stewardship 'top-up' options would also be
available to reward those prepared to undertake more demanding
environmental management on this land, although the
'top-ups' could only pay for the additional management costs.
Option B, a purely voluntary approach, would seek to develop,
promote and implement land management practices that address the
habitat needs of farmland birds and encourage retention and
management of uncropped land. It would see the creation of a Farm
Environment Action Plan managed and led by farmers.
A voluntary approach would need to show a high degree of
certainty of delivering the environmental benefits, by ensuring
adequate take-up by farmers. If this failed to deliver the desired
changes quickly enough, changes to cross compliance would be
brought in.
The 12-week consultation runs until 27 May 2009.
Notes to Editors
1. For full details on the consultation visit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/gaec/index.htm
2. Recent figures show a decline in Farmland Bird numbers. For
more information visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/statistics/wildlife/kf/wdkf03.htm
3. For more information on ELS and Agri-Environment schemes
please visit: http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/environment/index.htm
4. For more information on the work of Sir Don Curry's high
level group on set-aside visit:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/deliverygroup/
Public enquiries 08459 335577;
Website http://www.defra.gov.uk