Independent awarding body, BASIS, has instigated a consultation with Defra and other industry stakeholders, to deliver training for advisers in light of the proposed Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme.

BASIS CEO, Stephen Jacob, explains that the training will be geared towards agronomists, land managers and other professionals who want to advise farmers on the Government’s new payment scheme.

“We’re working collaboratively with key industry bodies to create a suitable syllabus for a new ELM scheme training course and examination,” he says.

“Professionals qualifying from the course will be integrated into our current Professional Register, which requires members to obtain continuing professional development (CPD) points, in order to ensure their knowledge is up-to-date.”

As part of this major step change for the industry, BASIS is already in the process of appointing a dedicated, experienced team member to head up the development and roll out of the qualification and register.

Stephen adds that there still is a lot of uncertainty as to the exact details of the ELM scheme. However he hopes that farmers and advisers can rest assured that once there is more clarity from the government, there will be formal training on offer to support in this huge change.

BASIS will keep the industry updated on progress of this new environmental training. For more information about BASIS, please visit: www.basis-reg.co.uk.