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Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post ... · GFBF - Cumulus presentation...
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Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post EU withdrawal Paul Silcock
Transcript of Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post ... · GFBF - Cumulus presentation...
Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post EU
withdrawal
Paul Silcock
Outline
1. Current agri-environment schemes and their importance
2. Likely shape and focus of future ‘agri-environment’ schemes
3. Getting there - how we can influence future schemes
Number of a-e scheme agreements in South Downs
Source: NE, August 2017
2017: 448 (ES) + 40(CS) = 488 agreements
Area of a-e scheme agreements in South Downs
Source: NE, August 2017
2017: 78,107 ha (ES) + 3,951 ha (CS) = 82,058 ha
Annual cost of a-e scheme agreements in South Downs
Source: NE, August 2017
2017: £7.43 m (ES) + £0.45 m est. (CS) = £7.88 m
Current importance
• A-E scheme coverage = 71% of NP farmed area
• Average A-E scheme agreement = £16,148 p.a. per farm
• FBS 2017/17 South East Region:
• Plus income for contractors, wider rural economy (local income multiplier = 1.42)
Per farmBPS & AES as % of Total Output
BPS & AES as % of Total Farm Business Income
Cereals 15% 130%
Lowland grazing 24% 109%
Future policy and schemes
Future schemes
• BPS
– BPS or equivalent until 2024
– Capping/sliding scale to be introduced
• Agri-environment
– CS continues, simplified
– New ‘environmental land management scheme’ from 2024 onwards (replaces existing BPS & AES)
• Future funding for other public goods
Why/What
• ‘Public money for public goods’
– Environmental enhancement…
• Natural capital approach
– Values benefits…
• Incentivise and reward land managers
– Restore and improve natural capital and rural heritage
• ‘Polluter pays’ principle
• Climate change mitigation and adaptation
How
• Two tiers:
– Universally accessible scheme
– Targeted scheme for landscapes /environmentally sensitive sites (nature recovery areas?)
• Special case – uplands, lowlands?
• Provide flexibility - more management decisions in the hands of farmers
• Keep bureaucracy to a minimum - more user-friendly application process
How
• Provide technical advice to support farmers and land managers
– Deliver outcomes
– Work together to achieve benefits at landscape and catchment level.
• Explore capital grants to support long-term sustainable land management practices
• Explore new and innovative funding and delivery mechanisms (e.g. Payments for Ecosystem Services)
How much
• Overall budget
How much
• Payment basis:
– Income foregone
– (Natural Capital) value
• Payment approaches
– Prescribed
– Results-based
– Reverse auction…
Getting there…
Command Paper • Spring 2018
Agriculture Bill • Summer/Autumn 2018
Scheme consultation
Pilot Schemes
• 2018-2022?
Future Scheme
2024?
Late 2018
South Downs pilot scheme
• Builds on farmer workshops in 2017 and other farmer feedback
• Aims:
– To contribute to the development of a new environmental land management scheme being developed nationally by Defra;
– To deliver priority environmental enhancements and other public goods in the South Downs
South Downs pilot scheme
• Principles:– In line with
Defra outline
– Farmer led and developed
– Farm cluster based (USP)
South Downs pilot scheme
• Other USPs (Unique Selling Points):
– Lowland landscape/habitats
– Lowland/mixed farming
– Population proximity/pressure
– National Park led/co-ordinated
South Downs pilot scheme
• Local priorities e.g.
– Improving soil quality
– Improving water quality
– Enhancing priority habitats and species
– Education -school children, local people, public
– Recreation/access infrastructure– Other possibilities: pollinators, landscape and
heritage, health and well-being, local food, diversified
South Downs pilot scheme
• Delivery
– Building on existing schemes and agreements
– Clusters would decide on priorities and projects, with guidance/advice from specialists
– Projects could be submitted by individuals or developed collaboratively
– Partnership approach
– Over-arching elements
• Currently working up pilot scheme outline to submit to Defra, with a request for funding….
Questions
• Pilot Scheme
– What do you think the local priorities should be?
– What ideas do you have in terms of design or delivery?
– Do you have any concerns?
– Would you like to be involved? Either in farm clusters or more generally?
• Any other questions or comments?
Thank youContact: Paul Silcock
T: 01386 277970
M: 07941 783110
W: www.cumulus-consultants.co.uk
