A new Government report looking at the protection of wildlife habitats and species has been described by the NFU today as a "missed opportunity".

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In our response to the Habitats and Wild Birds Directives Implementation Review, the NFU called on Government to put measures in place to:

• Monitor the potential impact of compensatory habitat on farm production and to ensure that the amount created is proportionate.
• Ensure that the location of compensatory habitat does not impact on productive farming activities in the surrounding area.
• Have clear and effective communication to inform farmers and land managers potentially affected by compensatory habitat.

NFU head of policy services Andrew Clark said:"A major area of concern, which the review fails to make explicit, is the excessive loss of agricultural land for ‘compensatory habitat’ creation. Locally, individual development projects requiring compensatory habitat can have a significant impact on the amount of land taken out of agricultural production, with significant impacts on the viability of the 'host’ farm'.

"However, several aspects of the review, such as clearer guidance and better communications with farmers and land managers, with a more consistent risk-based approach to implementation, and improved evidence-based decision making with increased availability to data, are all welcomed.

"And it’s pleasing that Defra has recognised the problems suffered by some of our members who have to apply for non-planning consent like environmental permit alongside planning permission for any new farm development, such as IPPC-sized pig and poultry producers."

The Review, which was announced in the Autumn Statement by the Chancellor and led by Defra, has involved detailed work with stakeholders and other Government departments.

The full report can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/habitats-review/

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