A survey of more than 500 farmers by the Campaign for the Farmed Environment shows significant improvements in the way farmland is now being managed to benefit the environment, but many farmers are unrewarded for delivering these ‘public goods’.

The survey findings highlight the diversity and extent of measures being implemented to help protect water quality, soil health and farm wildlife. Some 90 per cent of respondents had improved their soil management, 81 per cent had increased their efficiency in using pesticide and fertilisers, and 73 per cent had adopted nutrient management planning - however, the findings also reveal how much work is currently undertaken without any payment from the current stewardship schemes. 

For every farmer receiving an agri-environment payment for sowing a pollen and nectar mix, another farmer is doing the same voluntarily.  About twice as many arable farmers are providing supplementary feeding for birds and about four times as many are sowing catch and cover crops at their own expense outside any scheme. 

The appetite for improved and simplified agri-environment schemes was strong with three-quarters of those surveyed stating that better financial support would encourage them to make further beneficial changes.

ENSURING WILDLIFE THRIVE

Over 90 per cent felt that responding to land conditions was highly important in their decision making and over half would like to see options that better fitted within businesses, suggesting a desire for more flexibility in future schemes and something that can be addressed at policy level as UK government looks to new support mechanisms post-Brexit.

Farming Minister George Eustice said: “As we leave the EU, we have an unprecedented opportunity to deliver a farming policy which rewards farmers for delivering public goods, including sustainable food production and protecting the environment. 

“We know that farmers are passionate about the environment they work in, and most are committed to ensuring wildlife can thrive on their farms.

“Despite the current lack of financial incentive, much is being achieved as the survey reflects. The vast majority had grass buffers in place to protect water courses, while 60 per cent of the arable and mixed farmers had supported farmland birds through supplementary feeding and wild bird seed mixes. Around 65 per cent had sown flower-rich mixes to support pollinators and over 80 per cent of livestock farms had fertiliser-free permanent pasture, benefiting wildflowers and insects. Other popular measures include over-wintered stubbles, catch and cover crops and watercourse fencing.”

COLLABORATIVE APPROACH

The NFU’s deputy president, Guy Smith, tells me: “Our Union welcomes the recognition that many farmers balance food production with care for wildlife and protecting soils and water. The campaign is a unique industry-led partnership that has engaged thousands of farmers in environmental best practice over many years.”

For the CLA, Mark Tufnell, vice-president confirmed: “Despite no financial incentive, this level of engagement demonstrates farmers’ and landowners’ credentials as custodians of the land. Coming together in this way helps the industry through its educational and collaborative approach, and we look forward to continuing this industry partnership through a time of significant policy change.”

Many farmers commented positively on how their actions had led to wildlife thriving and healthier soils on their farms:

“Very satisfying to put something back.

“I like to live and work in a pleasant, healthy, attractive environment and enjoy seeing a wide variety of wildlife, while trying to ensure our business remains profitable and viable.

“What motivates me is to lead by example and show people that the countryside is not something that just happens. Landowners and farmers do far more than the majority realise year by year, generation by generation. I always say that every view, every hedge and wall is created over many years. Never take it for granted.”

Redundant barns

Many barns and stables on farms, some a few hundred years old, have long outlived their original purpose and could, ideally, be flattened.

However, the Government has just produced new guidance to help farmers choose which of their buildings would be suitable for conversion to a dwelling house under permitted development rights (known as Class Q rights).

For some farmers, this new guidance may clarify why they need to provide more information when they apply for prior approval to convert a building to residential use.

The new barn conversion guidance covers one particularly troublesome element of the permitted development rules for barn conversions to residential use, where the interpretation of planning guidance and planning legislation has been challenged in the planning court.

The guidance reinforces the Government’s view that the purpose of Class Q permitted development rights is to allow the conversion of buildings that are already suitable for use as a dwelling house with reasonable alternations.

INKEEPING WITH SURROUNDINGS

It is not for those buildings which will affectively require rebuilding work - more usefully the guidance also clarifies what internal works can be carried out under Class Q, including the addition of a floor or mezzanine floor and internal partition walls.

The NFU say they will continue to ask for a more pragmatic structural test for farm buildings, which would allow more historic buildings to be rebuilt, as well as new buildings, if the resulting structure provides a more functional dwelling in keeping with the rural surroundings.

The purpose of Planning Practice Guidance is to show how planning law and policy is intended to be used. It has been published by national Government since 2014 for new types of planning or where there has been a need for up to date guidance to support national policy in the National Planning Policy Framework. Local planning authorities should also take this guidance into account.

The updated agricultural conversion guidance is part of new Planning Practice Guidance the Government has published online this month to help farmers and local planning authorities to understand how permitted development rights for farming should work.

New guidance on farm tracks and flood protection and alleviation works on farm has also been published within the same section.

A story worth sharing

Deciding how and who to share positive stories with is a major issue, but Monsanto -not everyone’s favourite company - has decided to focus on three key groups - mothers, (because they do most of the food shopping and care about the health of their families), millennials, (because they are the most engaged with social media), and foodies like chefs and food bloggers.

In a policy statement to a recent major conference, the company has stated: “We never talked to consumers before and we now recognise that was wrong for us.

“We’ve learned we have to shift our thinking to consider how what we do in our industry, and what you do on your farm, matters to society, and how it impacts them or connects with their values.

“Consumers rightly want to know that their food is safe, and that you care about the environment, and are willing to use less - less water, fuel, soil, inputs. They certainly want to know that you care for your animals and your land.”

NOT JUST TALKING

Most beef producers would say these are a given - things that they do every day, but to maintain that social licence, all players across the whole value chain need to do whatever has to be done to earn consumer trust, and that involves not just talking, but listening.

“It’s not about arguing or trying to win a debate and it’s not about inundating people with scientific information, it’s about listening to their concerns, trying to find some common ground, and engaging in a conversation.”

There are lots of options for producers to share what they do, and farmers are the best people to tell these stories about agriculture because they are the most credible in the eyes of consumers.

“What you do every day on the farm and what it means to you, your families and communities is a story worth sharing and will help us all earn our social licence and trust of consumers.

“Step up and share your stories because we need to work collectively together and expand the voice to everyone who is involved in agriculture, from the primary producer through the value chain to help people understand how great working in this industry is, and how important it is to produce food for everyone.”

Getting into Heaven

A fellow finds himself in front of the pearly gates. St. Peter explains that it’s not easy to get into heaven.

There are some criteria that must be met before entry is allowed. For example, was the man a church-goer or religious? No? St. Peter told him that’s bad.

Was he generous, giving money to the poor or to charities? No? St. Peter told him that that, too, was bad.

Did he do any good deeds, such as helping his neighbour? Anything? No? St. Peter was becoming concerned.

Exasperated, the Saint says: “Look, everybody does something nice sometime. Work with me, here! I’m trying to help. Now think!”

The man thinks for a minute, then says: “Well, I did help this old lady once. I came out of a store and saw that a dozen Hell’s Angels had taken her purse and were shoving her around. I threw my bags down and got her purse back, then I told the biggest biker there that he was cowardly and I spat in his face.”

“Wow,” said St. Peter, “That’s impressive! When did this happen?”

“Oh, about 15 minutes ago,” replied the man.