2007 News Archive
Headlines
- Retaining the environmental benefits of set-aside
- Farm Planning and Environmental Advice Strengthened
- Extensive suckler cow grazing in the South West
- Farmer motivations for growing energy crops
- Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes secure funding
- Marketing success for Cumulus: Record numbers generated for Cereals Event
- Evaluating the EU beef and dairy regimes
- The future of cross compliance
- State Aid simplified
- Marketing portfolio expands into horticulture sector
Retaining the environmental benefits of set-aside
The future of set-aside hangs in the balance presently. The EC Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel has made it clear that she would like to abolish set-aside as part of the CAP ‘Health Check’ in 2008. Furthermore it seems likely that set-aside will be set at 0% in 2008 due to undersupply in the cereals sector.
However set-aside delivers a range of environmental benefits, many of which would be lost if there is no suitable replacement policy. Key beneficiaries including breeding birds although wintering birds, invertebrates and plants also benefit. Set-aside also provides an important function in terms of reducing inputs, buffering watercourses, protecting soils and linking habitats. Energy crops grown on set-aside (which account for 14% of the total set-aside area in the UK) also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Assessing policy options
A policy options paper was prepared by Cumulus for the Land Use Policy Group that identifies and assesses four main policy options to retain the environmental benefits of set-aside. These include: extending cross-compliance; developing agri-environment schemes; developing an ‘environmental’ set-aside; and further developing the Energy Crops Scheme. A package of measures is recommended which supports general and specific environmental benefits and continues to nurture the development of suitable energy crops. The paper has contributed to ongoing policy discussions in Brussels.
Farm Planning and Environmental Advice Strengthened
Cumulus is delighted to announce the addition of Jonathan Brunyee to the team. Jonathan further strengthens the team's land management, farm planning and environmental skills base and adds to our unique policy, marketing and research experience.
With over 12 years' experience in the agricultural and environmental sector, at practical delivery and policy level, Jonathan has worked with major landowners, family farms and national organisations in lowland and upland situations. He specialises in farm planning, environmental advice, grant work and business diversification.
Not only is Jonathan well qualified in rural resource and environmental management but he also manages his own mixed farm producing traditional breed beef, lamb and pork, together with species rich grassland and habitat for farmland birds.
Extensive suckler cow grazing in the South West
Extensive suckler cow grazing is uniquely attuned to deliver a range of food, farming and environmental benefits in the South West of England. However it is in decline particularly following the removal of headage payments as part of the CAP reform introduced in 2005. Changes in the system of hill farm support provide a further challenge for this type of farming in the region’s Less Favoured Areas (LFAs).
State and economic performance of suckler cow grazing
In an exploratory report by Cumulus for Natural England and the South West Regional Development Agency, the current state and economic performance of suckler cow grazing is examined and prospects for the future are assessed.
Suckler cow grazing in the South West
- 200,000 suckler cows (27% of England total)
- 8,000 holdings with suckler cows
- 13% reduction in suckler cow numbers since 1995
- Declining stocking density especially in LFAs
- 8.3% of SW regional agricultural output
- Negative and declining Management and Investment Income
- Supports public benefits such as wildlife and landscape
- Supports tourism in National Parks and AONBs
Over the next few years, the situation for suckler cows is likely to deteriorate due to factors including poor commodity prices, low profits and lack of successors to continue extensive grazing systems. There is a very real risk that extensive suckler cow grazing will cease on a significant number of farms in the region. This would have wide reaching economic, environmental and social impacts.
Proposed enhancement measures
A grazing enhancement package of measures is proposed to support extensive suckler cow grazing in the region and thereby sustain and enhance the delivery of public benefits. Designed to complement and build on existing measures and initiatives, the package includes annual payments, capital grants and technical support, including business development and marketing advice, training, and assistance for producer groups intended to help extensive suckler cow producers develop sustainable, commercial enterprises. Four pilot farms were used to test the package.
Farmer motivations for growing energy crops
Farmer attitudes to energy crops such as Short Rotation Coppice willow and miscanthus were explored in a series of farmer discussion groups facilitated by Cumulus earlier in the year. The discussion groups covered issues such as why farmers chose to grow energy crops, factors influencing farmer decisions, perceptions on financial returns, opportunities and barriers, perceived impacts, and sources of information and advice.
Capturing farmer behaviour leads to roadmap for bioenergy sector
The outcome of this work undertaken with IEEP was a series of statements which capture different motivations for farmer behaviour. These are to be used in subsequent modelling by SAC as part of the TSEC-BIOSYS project, a large, research council funded project developing a framework for whole systems analysis and research on bioenergy that will lead to credible scenarios and a road map for the UK’s bioenergy sector.
Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marshes secure funding
Following the production of a business plan and the preparation of funding applications by Cumulus earlier this year, we are delighted that the Lincolnshire Coastal Grazing Marsh Project Partnership has now received grant aid from both the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Paving the way for a Landscape Partnership scheme
The Partnership aims to maintain and restore valuable grazing marsh habitat on the Lincolnshire coast, conserve and enhance the area’s rich landscape and historic heritage, and support improved access and the development of green farm businesses. The money will be used to prepare the way for a full Landscape Partnership scheme and support important farm advisory work.
Marketing success for Cumulus
Record numbers generated for Cereals Event
Reported by Farmers Weekly as ‘one of the busiest yet’, the atmosphere was buzzing at this years’ Cereals Event held at Vine Farm, near Royston.
The leading technical event for the European arable industry; owned and organised by Haymarket Exhibitions, attracted an unprecedented 22,875 visitors. Record numbers were a testament to the technical content, innovation and market leadership demonstrated by over 350 exhibitors. In 2007, Cereals Event marketing campaign was managed and delivered by Cumulus Consultants for the first time.
Marketing strategy
Cumulus set out to deliver a campaign based on driving technical content to the fore, working towards delivery of highly relevant communications to arable farmers and the agricultural industry. Attracting a high quality audience was part of the Cumulus remit; post show research revealed that 93% rated the visiting audience as good or excellent (up 22% on the same question asked in the previous year).
Leading industry debate
The Cereals Event led the industry with debate and demonstration on issues of the future for British agriculture. Biofuels, carbon efficiency and biodiversity were hot topics. Particularly well attended were the pertinent HSBC ‘Investing in the Future’ Forums where the messages were clear; these factors will be pivotal to the sector’s performance over the next decade.
Cumulus worked especially closely with the principal sponsor HSBC in promotion of the forum programme which attracted a high level of farming industry coverage as well as regional press and television.
Repeat contract awarded
Following on from its success of the first year of managing the Cereals Event marketing, Cumulus is delighted to have been awarded the marketing contract for both 2008 and 2009.
Evaluating the EU beef and dairy regimes
Cumulus is involved with two challenging evaluations being carried out for DG AGRI at the European Commission. The first evaluates the environmental impacts of CAP measures and direct support measures relating to the beef and veal sector and the milk sector. The second focuses on the environmental impacts of milk quotas. Both projects cover all Member States from 1988 to the present day.
Informing development of CAP
Working with colleagues at the Institute for European Environmental Policy, we are involved with the overall evaluation as part of the ‘expert group’ as well as being responsible for the Ireland case studies. Policy recommendations from both studies will be used to inform future deliberations regarding the development of the CAP.
The future of cross compliance
Cross compliance is likely to be considered during the CAP Health Check in 2008 and the budgetary review in 2009. While cross compliance in its present form is still relatively young, there is a need to consider its future both to ensure that it achieves it's objectives and to influence the future shape of the CAP.
Analysis of existing regimes and programmes
The policy paper prepared by Cumulus provides the Land Use Policy Group with a summary of the rationale and context for cross compliance; the different approaches used by Member States; research findings on the environmental benefits and disbenefits of cross compliance; and an analysis of the added value provided by cross compliance alongside existing regimes and programmes.
Development and evolution
Policy options for the development and evolution of cross compliance are then provided covering the short, medium and long term. The long term options cover the situation in which Pillar 1 of the CAP is substantially reduced or removed and Pillar 2 (rural development) dominates.
‘We are very impressed with the detailed and thorough work produced in a very quick timescale. It is also very clearly written which helps immensely!’
Land Use Policy Group
State Aid simplified
In January 2007, the EC revised the agricultural state aid rules which are designed to ensure a level playing field for all businesses across the EU. Misunderstood, maligned and sometimes even feared, state aid rules need to be considered at an early stage in developing any type of support schemes for farmers and rural businesses.
Providing guidance on state aid issues
Cumulus has been involved with a number of projects this year requiring state aid expertise, including one which involved producing guidance on state aid issues for Landscape Partnerships funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund. For further information on state aid issues, please contact Paul Silcock.
Marketing portfolio expands into horticulture sector
2007 saw the expansion of the portfolio of events' marketed by Cumulus to include both Fruit Focus and South West Regional Growers Show.
Fruit Focus
Fruit Focus is the key business event for all those involved in the production, distribution and sales of soft and top fruit. Having successfully delivered the 2007 marketing campaign, for a show that attracts in excess of 600 visitors, our key objective for 2008 is to build on the events scope to deliver a learning environment, showcasing the latest research and development.
South West Regional Growers Show
South West Regional Growers Show is the South West’s only trade event for both growers and plant buyers. This year, organised by Haymarket Exhibitions on behalf of the NFU, it will offer a number of enhancements.
These include a new seminar programme for growers, where they will be able to exchange views, network with colleagues from across the region and discuss the latest issues affecting the industry.
Cumulus is committed to making both horticultural events a success and supports them with extensive marketing campaigns, including working closely with media partners Horticulture Week.
