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...

Page 1: Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post ... · GFBF - Cumulus presentation Author: Paul Silcock Created Date: 2/13/2018 2:28:08 PM ...

Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post EU

withdrawal

Paul Silcock

Page 2: Agri-environment in the South Downs in run-up to and post ... · GFBF - Cumulus presentation Author: Paul Silcock Created Date: 2/13/2018 2:28:08 PM ...

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

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Number of a-e scheme agreements in South Downs

Source: NE, August 2017

2017: 448 (ES) + 40(CS) = 488 agreements

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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

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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

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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%

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Future policy and schemes

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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

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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

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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

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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)

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How much

• Overall budget

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How much

• Payment basis:

– Income foregone

– (Natural Capital) value

• Payment approaches

– Prescribed

– Results-based

– Reverse auction…

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Getting there…

Command Paper • Spring 2018

Agriculture Bill • Summer/Autumn 2018

Scheme consultation

Pilot Schemes

• 2018-2022?

Future Scheme

2024?

Late 2018

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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

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South Downs pilot scheme

• Principles:– In line with

Defra outline

– Farmer led and developed

– Farm cluster based (USP)

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South Downs pilot scheme

• Other USPs (Unique Selling Points):

– Lowland landscape/habitats

– Lowland/mixed farming

– Population proximity/pressure

– National Park led/co-ordinated

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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

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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….

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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?

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Thank youContact: Paul Silcock

T: 01386 277970

M: 07941 783110

E: [email protected]

W: www.cumulus-consultants.co.uk