13/05/2011

More than 60 per cent of farmers and land managers who have renewed or joined Entry Level Stewardship have done so to directly throw their weight behind the Campaign for the Farmed Environment, according to a new survey.

News that voluntary land management is being actively put in place by farmers and land managers to provide environmental benefits across England has been welcomed by the CFE. But the partnership has warned that with just one more year to achieve some tough targets the good work on the ground needs to increase and say those that have taken action to support the CFE need to be congratulated.

CFE Delivery Group chairman Jim Egan said: “In addition to retaining uncropped land and putting in place key target options in ELS, we need to see more than 200,000 hectares in voluntary measures. Over 20 per cent of farmers are currently not doing anything for the CFE, however the survey has revealed that they have now agreed to take action to support the Campaign. Their actions in this third and final year really will count.”

The CFE says that while the report sees the Campaign moving in the right direction around 60 per cent of land, which could potentially contribute to the CFE voluntary measures target, is not being managed in line with the essential or ‘red box’ requirements - key to CFE success.

“Farmers need to ensure that their good intentions for environmental protection are managed in accordance with the Campaign’s essential requirements,” said Mr Egan. “I would urge farmers to take this into consideration when planning next year’s cropping. This could be as simple as keeping unsprayed stubbles until mid-February or replacing maize game strips with seed-bearing crops for birds.

“Telling information was also revealed in the Defra survey about the important role being played by agronomists and advisers. At this crucial stage it is important that farmers and land managers make the most of the range of advice that is out there and show that by using voluntary management they can produce more food and impact less on the environment.”