Plans for the continuation of the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) are being drawn up after Defra agreed to extend funding for the industry conservation initiative until December 2012. Defra announced on Friday that the CFE would be funded until the end of the year.

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CFE organisers have said their plans for the rest of the year will be unveiled at the Cereals 2012 event in June.

Victoria Hicks, national CFE project coordinator, commented on Defra’s decision, “It’s excellent news that Defra has clearly recognised the value of our local campaign coordinators and the contributions made by farmers and land managers to support the CFE.

“Farmers and campaign partners have put a significant amount of effort into the CFE. Building on this fantastic work and momentum until December is great news for the industry and the environment.”

The CFE was launched in 2009 following successful industry lobbying for a voluntary approach to conservation measures to replace compulsory set-aside in England. In the run up to Friday’s announcement, the campaign’s organisers had warned that more needed to be done to meet CFE targets and secure continued funding.  

The campaign’s partners in industry, government and the third sector are still urging farmers to increase uptake of CFE options in agri-environment schemes.

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