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Bid now for Nature Improvement Area funding

The Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) ProgrammeThe Nature Improvement Areas (NIAs) Programme with funding of £7.5 million has been established as proposed in the Natural Environment White Paper 2011. Bids are now being prepared.

Nature Improvement Areas are large, discrete areas that will deliver a step change in nature conservation, where a local partnership has a shared vision for their natural environment. The partnership will plan and deliver significant improvements for wildlife and people through the sustainable use of natural resources, restoring and creating wildlife habitats, connecting local sites and joined up local action.

The NIA grant scheme was established to help address ecological restoration at a landscape scale.  The competition is being run by Defra with the Secretary of State taking decisions on the successful bids following advice from an independent panel.  The scheme will operate over 3 years from 2012 to 2015 and will initially focus on a maximum of 12 NIAs.

The scheme is open to partnerships that are made up of a mix of local government and planning authorities, private landowners, environmental organisations, community groups and social enterprises, town and parish councils, and the private sector. 

Groups can use funding to cover staff and other revenue costs, practical conservation work (State Aid rules apply), training, land and building purchase (where crucial to project success) and marketing.

Partner support can come from different sources and can include both cash and ‘in-kind’ from the partnership or other sources.

Jonathan Brunyee of Cumulus Consultants says ‘the panel will be looking for value for tax payers money as well as clear ecological targets and rationale.  Organisations should seek to provide towards the cost of the NIA and post project delivery to enhance the likelihood of bid success.’

Expressions of Interest are being submitted in September 2011 with detailed Stage Two business plans due in December.  Presentations and final decisions will be made in February ready for the April 1st 2012 start.

Cumulus Consultants is able to help bring partnerships together, support the identification of priorities and development of potential projects, produce Business Plans and budgets, manage implementation and State Aid issues, and undertake outcome monitoring and evaluation.  If your group needs help then please contact us for an informal discussion.

Environmental Stewardship Update

Wild flower meadow

Environmental Stewardship continues to be a key area of delivery for Natural England, with both ELS and HLS open to new applicants despite fears over budgets after the CSR.

Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) continues to be competitive and targeted, with an estimated 2,400 HLS applications, worth up to £40m, expected to go live in the next financial year. In many regions budgets may already be committed to new agreements in Natural England’s ‘pipeline’ for this year, so farmers and land managers are being encouraged to apply early for the 2012-2013 financial year.

Jonathan Brunyee of Cumulus Consultants says ‘the need to plan ahead is crucial. Many sites need detailed survey in the spring/summer and a period of consultation and discussion is needed. Natural England staff are very busy and we are already looking at 2012 agreement start dates for applications going in now.’

There are also changes in the processing of HLS application from 1 July 2011 to improve efficiency and clarity. HLS applications will be sought, prepared and administered under one of 3 tiers; Fast-track, Standard or Complex, depending on the complexity of a holding.

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) remains open to all new applicants and those renewing their scheme following their first 5 year agreements. From June 2011 Natural England are offering free one-to-one farm visits and group events to existing ELS agreement holders under the ELS Training and Information Programme (ETIP) to help them get the best from their options.

For both new applicants and those renewing, choosing ELS options that work to provide optimum habitats for farmland birds and wildlife, reduce the risk of soil erosion and run-off to watercourses and protect the historic environment should be of priority. There is now information available on the regional priority options, to help farmers, land manager and agents make the most of ELS options on their farms. Locating the right option in the right place improves its effectiveness, ensuring the scheme is successful.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/es/agents/elsoptions/default.aspx

This regional targeting also offers delivery organisations and landscape partnerships the opportunity to target ELS in their areas, using the scheme to improve biodiversity outcomes in the local area whether it be an AONB, National Park or specific project area. Cumulus Consultants can deliver advice on appropriate stewardship opportunities and targeting, including practical management tips on making the most out of ELS options.

General Note on AES: From the 30th June 2011, changes will be paid to the timings of payments for ES, for more information visit:

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/farming/funding/euaudit.aspx

The Natural Choice - Comment on the Natural Environment White Paper

HNV farmlandThe first White Paper on the natural environment in two decades was released in June by Defra. ‘The Natural Choice’ is a bold statement outlining the Government’s vision for the natural environment over the next 50 years.

The proposals set out a programme of action to repair damage done in the past, and urges everyone to get involved in helping nature to flourish at all levels – from neighbourhoods to national parks.

Many of the actions are directly linked to the groundbreaking research in the National Ecosystem Assessment that showed the strong economic arguments for safeguarding and enhancing the natural environment. A healthy, properly functioning natural environment is the foundation of sustained economic growth, prospering communities and personal wellbeing.

The White Paper also acts on the recommendations of ‘Making Space for Nature’, a report into the state of England’s wildlife sites, led by Professor John Lawton and published in September 2010, which showed that England’s wildlife sites are fragmented and not able to respond to the pressures of climate change and other pressures we put on our land.

Will the paper make a difference? Will the government back its words with practical action to deliver their ambition? Will England’s natural environment be better protected, restored and improved?

There are some exciting measures within the paper such as the trial of Nature Improvement Areas, biodiversity offsetting, and more support for local partnership and green enterprise. The importance of soil, carbon storage, landscape and water catchments is reinforced. The concepts of natural capital, ecosystem services and green infrastructure are also mentioned.

There is, however, a plethora of new committees, acronyms and talking shops and little evidence of additional funding being available. Key questions also remain unanswered. How will the goals of improving the environment and increasing food production be reconciled? How will the farm environment flourish if Pillar Two funding (agri-environment) is slashed under CAP reform? How can bodies such as the National Parks and Natural England deliver when their budgets are being reduced? What is the future of our planning system and the final form of the Localism Bill? How will ecosystem markets work?

Much of what is set out in the White Paper dovetails with what we do at Cumulus both in terms of specific areas of activity and a holistic approach to addressing environmental challenges and achieving sustainable economic growth. We with work with clients to develop policies and initiatives, forge partnerships, and grow enterprises. Do let us know if you would like to find out more or discuss any of the issues raised in the White Paper.

Exploring Barriers to Cattle Grazing in the Welsh Uplands

Cattle grazing in the Welsh Uplands

Cumulus Consultants, in partnership with Agriplan Cymru, were delighted to undertake a project for the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) which explored and identified the main factors which the farming community in Wales see as presenting barriers to grazing upland habitats with cattle.

Cattle grazing is widely considered to be beneficial for the restoration and maintenance of a range of upland habitats in Wales. In recent years, however, there has been a reduction in cattle grazing on upland holdings, particularly the less productive areas of such holdings, which include areas of high nature conservation value. Anecdotal evidence suggests this has been the result of a reduction in the availability of labour and a range of other factors including low profitability, animal husbandry issues and lack of suitable infrastructure.

To gain a broad and in depth understanding of the issues, we gathered evidence from three main sources: farm interviews- a focus group of farmers with cattle and those with sheep only, stakeholder interviews with relevant farming organisations such as FUW, HCC, NFU and FWAG, and policy specialists from CCW and WAG, and a review of relevant literature.

Whilst many of the changes in beef production systems are related to current issues, such as profitability or bovineTB, other historical factors have played a heavy role in driving change; for example, the FMD epidemic and the switch away from headage payments. Evidence collated through the project suggested that the farming community in Wales sees a number of main barriers to cattle grazing in the uplands:

  • The poor profitability of upland beef enterprises generally and in particular hill and upland suckler cow and store enterprises. The variable and fixed costs of production usually exceed returns.
  • The move towards continental breeds of cattle and their crosses, due to market requirements and improved returns. These breeds are less hardy and less suitable for hill grazing than native breeds.
  • The relative profitability of sheep enterprises compared to cattle enterprises, from lower inputs and higher returns.
  • The higher labour requirements of cattle relative to sheep, combined with a reduction in the availability of labour on farm.
  • Overwintering issues; there is a high capital and revenue cost involved with housing cattle over winter, however there are risks associated overwintering outside.
  • Animal health and welfare issues associated with cattle grazing, notably TB but also diseases more specifically associated with semi-natural rough grazing areas.
  • The regulatory burden including passports, movement records/restrictions and cross compliance.
  • Practical problems associated with managing stock across large area of hill for welfare, tagging, TB testing etc.
  • Heavy reliance on subsidies including the Single Payment Scheme, Tir Mynydd and agri-environment schemes and no incentive to maintain cattle numbers.
  • Agri-environment scheme payments which are insufficient to cover the costs of managing upland habitats with cattle and perceived lack of flexibility in management prescriptions.
  • The lack of research and development and technical guidance focused on improving the performance of upland cattle enterprises.
  • Unpalatable vegetation in hill areas resulting from under grazing and no burning making reintroducing cattle grazing to these areas unattractive and costly.
  • Risks associated with grazing cattle on land with open access and footpaths.

Many of these barriers are likely to be present into the foreseeable future. Potential future changes include: rising demand for red meat and protein, but also greater competition which could impact on prices; increasing costs; changes in SFP and other subsidies; and climate change.

As well as the barriers to grazing cattle on the uplands, we also considered the benefits put forward by researchers, farmers and stakeholder associated with grazing cattle on the uplands. Improved biodiversity through the better management of vegetation by cattle grazing is well researched and documented, however farmers who are grazing the hill also recognise these benefits in the form of habitat for birds and the quality of heather on the hill. There are also production benefits including: saving improved land for animals requiring high feed value, or for silage or hay; allowing the possibility of increasing the stocking rate. The mixed grazing of hill pasture by cattle and sheep has benefits in terms of improving rough grazing and it can also help with disease control. Traditional systems of grazing the hill land with native breed cattle have been shown to be successful in producing a quality beef animal with the bloodlines of these breeds preserved. Hill farm systems with cattle grazing the hill land are also likely to be low cost systems, particularly where stock is out-wintered.

Drawing on the above, a number of options to help address some of the barriers and enhance the benefits associated with grazing cattle in the uplands were developed for consideration. These included developing a long term strategy and goal for encouraging and supporting cattle grazing in the uplands, including the co-ordination of policies, regulation, and support and communicating this strategy to farmers. Promoting ways of improving upland specific performance whilst reducing production costs, through technical and business training for farmers could be undertaken.

Jeni Pring, Rural Consultant commented “profitable farming in the LFA’s has always been challenging, and the challenge for beef farmers in recent years has only increased. Policy, regulation and scheme support must recognise the difficulties they face and reward those who provide a valuable ecosystem service in grazing cattle on the hill ground.”

The project concluded that the challenges associated with overcoming the barriers to the cattle grazing in the uplands are substantial and should not to be underestimated. There are significant underlying profitability and market issues and the scope for influencing these may be limited. That said, there should be opportunities for addressing at least some of the barriers. We suggest that there is a need for a co-ordinated series of policies and initiatives focused on supporting upland cattle grazing which together could help improve the situation in the long term.

For further information, please contact Paul Silcock or Jeni Pring. See also www.ccw.gov.ukwww.agriplancymru.co.uk.

Integrating Natura 2000 wetlands and farming around Europe

HNV farmlandEarlier this year, Cumulus Consultants was delighted to be asked by the Dutch Government to organise and facilitate a two day meeting in Cambridge focused on restoring Natura 2000 wetland sites.

In the Netherlands, Natura 2000 sites have suffered from overdrainage – ‘verdroging’ – as a result of deep drainage for agriculture and groundwater abstraction for drinking water. This has badly affected the biodiversity of these sites. Historically, the government has acquired and restored land to address the problem however this relatively high cost approach has now been cut back due to budgetary restrictions. Therefore a key driver for the meeting was to look at alternative approaches to solving the problems faced by Natura 2000 wetland sites in the Netherlands, and learn lessons from other European countries.

The meeting, initiated and funded by Landelijk Steunpunt Verdroging (LSV) – the ‘National focus for water management to restore nature’ – brought together policymakers and practitioners from 6 EU countries (France, Germany, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal and the UK) with a view to exploring integrated, long term, sustainable solutions for connecting farming and food production with Natura 2000 habitat management and other ecosystem services such as flood mitigation and water conservation.

Over the two days, we compared problems and solutions in different countries via a series of excellent presentations and discussions. A field trip to the Great Fen Project, near Ramsey, Cambridgeshire provided a very good example of one approach; this visit was kindly hosted by project manager Kate Carver of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire & Peterborough Wildlife Trust.

The findings from the meeting will provide the basis for a larger conference in the Netherlands later this year. For more information on the topics discussed, or if you would like to discuss arranging a similar event, please contact Paul Silcock, Director.

Environmental Stewardship Update

The sun is shining and a new financial year is upon us. Although Natural England budgets are tight and demand is high, spring is a perfect time to consider applying to the Environmental Stewardship Scheme to benefit farm income streams as well as wildlife, soil, water and the historic environment.

Entry Level Stewardship (ELS), including the upland and organic variations, is the first step for many and remains open to all farmers, across all farm types. Between lambing and spring tillage many farmers are renewing their 5 years agreements or entering for the first time. Good option choice is required if you want to optimise scheme benefits. We can help you apply for, or renew your ELS, ensuring you utilise the best options for your farm.

Natural England is still very keen to receive quality Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) applications. The application process is now more targeted than in previous years so farmers who are interested in applying should speak to their local project officer as soon as possible. Once the go ahead to progress has been given most farmers seek support from an experienced independent adviser.

We can help you with your ELS/HLS application and undertake the associated Farm Environment Plan (FEP). We can also advise on ongoing management – compliance monitoring, seed mixes, capital work plans, grazing support and management plans etc.

Jonathan Brunyee of Cumulus Consultants says ‘the need to plan ahead is crucial. Many sites need detailed survey in the spring/summer and a period of consultation and discussion is needed. Natural England staff are very busy and we are already looking at late 2011/early 2012 agreement start dates for applications going in now.’ Jeni Pring added ‘the annual stewardship budget will be allocated quickly this year and next, so get in early’.

Jeni and Jonathan have made over 50 successful HLS applications in the last two years. They offer a practical and friendly application, and after care service. Don’t miss out – contact Cumulus now: Jonathan Brunyee or Jeni Pring.

High Nature Value (HNV) farming in Devon

HNV farmland

On behalf of the European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP), Cumulus Consultants, along with local partners in Devon, explored the characteristics of High Nature Value (HNV) farming and how policies can be developed to support HNV farming in England. This was done through case studies in four areas: the Blackdown Hills AONB, South Devon AONB, the Culm Measures and Dartmoor National Park.

Identifying, supporting and monitoring HNV farming has been a priority for EU rural development policy since 2005. But as with other countries, the RDP for England did not have a fully developed approach for making this priority operational when it began in 2007.

Phase 1 of the project aimed to clarify what is HNV farmland, where it is, and how much there is, in the case-study areas. It was generally considered that the most biodiverse farmland was likely to be based upon unimproved grassland, with associated scrub, woodland and hedgerow habitats, and in some cases semi-improved grassland.  Identifying the extent of such farmland using existing datasets such as habitat inventories or species data proved to be challenging as they did not necessarily cover all potential HNV farmland. The project therefore produced indicative maps of HNV farmland for the case-study areas on the basis of visual interpretation of aerial photos. These indicative maps aimed to capture the farmland and woodland area of HNV farmland.

The South Devon case study also illustrated the HNV value of arable-mixed landscapes farmed with low inputs, in particular winter stubbles and spring cereals. This was mainly due to their importance for Cirl Bunting, a species which has experienced dramatic declines in populations. The Dartmoor study area added another dimension to the group of case studies, reflecting the particular habitats, farmland and associated management relevant to the uplands and upland farming practices in less favoured areas.

In Phase 2, a series of farm visits and stakeholder interviews were undertaken to capture the presence and management of HNV farmland, at farm level and case study level. Of particular interest were the challenges of managing this land, from both a practical and financial point of view.

Many of the farms visited were positively managing this type of land, however the costs of doing so were really only recouped by those in agri-environment schemes. On larger, more commercial farms, areas of HNV were often undermanaged, conversely on smaller, mixed or livestock farms HNV land was likely to be grazed, but the overall profitably of the farms was highly dependent on single farm payments and agri-environment funding.

Whilst many farmers were keen to be in a scheme which helps to manage less profitable land, there was a clear message that the complexity and inflexible nature of such schemes was daunting and frustrating. Feedback from stakeholders within the case study areas reemphasised the dependency on agri-environment funding, and questioned the longer-term sustainable future management of HNV farmland as budgets are restricted.

The final stage of the project assessed how current policies can be improved upon to ensure that the management of HNV farmland is sustained. As in the rest of Europe, the main cause of decline in HNV farmland within these case study areas, is a combination of intensification on land with the potential to be commercially productive, and abandonment of land with production limitations due to cost of continued management. Key agricultural policies need to account for farm profitability, and assist those farms with HNV farmland which by its inherent nature may be less commercially viable.

Paul Silcock, project manager comments “Truly sustainable land management would go beyond subsidy and ideally capture a market for managing extensive HNV farmland, either through adding value to products, diversification enterprises such as tourism and other ecosystem services e.g. reducing flood risks or improving water quality. However, whilst this may be occurring in isolated cases, the majority of HNV farmland is entirely dependent on subsidy for its continued management.”

The project was funded by the EFNCP DG Env work programme (2010), Devon County Council, Natural England, Devon Wildlife Trust and the Blackdown Hills and South Devon AONBs.

For more information please contact Paul Silcock, director, Cumulus Consultants or Jeni Pring, Rural Consultant.