Cumulus Consultants E-Newsletter – Summer 2011
Welcome
Welcome to our Summer E-newsletter. It includes an update on Cumulus Consultants, examples of recent projects and other topical news. We hope you find it of interest.
Cumulus Consultants is a specialist rural consultancy working in the land and environment sector. We offer support and advice to farmers, landowners, rural businesses, government, NGOs and companies throughout the UK and Europe.
Our unique range of services includes: policy research; programme design and delivery; land and environment advice; and training and knowledge transfer.
You'll find out more about us via our website at www.cumulus-consultants.co.uk.
ur website also highlights our most popular services. These include our Environmental Stewardship, Green Land Agency, Green Enterprise, Landscape Partnerships and Monitoring & Evaluation services. Read more about how we can help you by clicking consultancy packages.
Natural Environment White Paper – 'The Natural Choice'
The 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.
Many of the actions proposed 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.
We highlight the positive measures in the White Paper and consider some of the questions that remain unanswered.
Read on
Integrating Natura 2000 wetlands and farming around Europe
Earlier 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. A key driver for meeting, therefore, 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.
Read on
Exploring Barriers to Cattle Grazing in the Welsh Uplands
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.
Cumulus Consultants, in partnership with Agriplan Cymru, recently undertook a project for the Countryside Council for Wales to explore the main factors which the farming community in Wales see as presenting barriers to grazing upland habitats with cattle. Evidence was gathered from farm interviews; stakeholder interviews and a review of relevant literature.
As well as the barriers, we considered the benefits associated with grazing cattle on the uplands put forward by researchers, farmers and stakeholders; these include biodiversity, production, and disease control benefits.
A number of options to help address some of the barriers and enhance the benefits associated with grazing cattle in the uplands were then developed for consideration.
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.
Read on
High Nature Value farming in Devon
Since last Summer we have been working with the European Forum on Nature Conservation and Pastoralism (EFNCP) and local partners to explore the characteristics of High Nature Value (HNV) farming in Devon and how policies regionally, nationally and at European level can be developed to support HNV farming.
Four case studies have been carried out in the Blackdown Hills AONB, South Devon AONB, the Culm Grasslands and Dartmoor National Park. Phase 1 of the work identified the nature and extent of HNV farmland in each of the case study areas. Our work in Phase 2 sought to analyse the characteristics of farming in each area and the main influences affecting farming systems, land use and management and hence the maintenance of HNV farmland. Key tasks included a series of farm visits and stakeholder interviews. The final stage of the project assessed how current policies can be improved 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 the 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 the cost of continued management. Key agricultural policies need to account of farm profitability, and assist those farms with HNV farmland which by its inherent nature may be less commercially viable.
Read on
Environmental Stewardship – Update
Environmental Stewardship continues to be a key area of delivery for Natural England, with both Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) and Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) open to new applicants despite fears over budgets after the Comprehensive Spending Review.
HLS continues to be competitive and targeted, with budgets in many regions already committed this year. Farmers and land managers should apply early for the 2012-2013 financial year.
ELS remains open to all new applicants and those renewing their scheme following their first 5 year agreements. For both new applicants and those renewing, choosing the right ELS options and putting them in the right place should be a priority. Delivery organisations and landscape partnerships can use regional priorities to target ELS to achieve biodiversity and other outcomes in their local areas 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 and HLS options.
Read on
RDPE Update: Changes to delivery
Closure of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and the creation of Local Enterprise Partnerships will have implications for the future delivery of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).
DEFRA takes over responsibility for delivery of Axes 1 and 3 of the RDPE from the beginning of July. Delivery of these parts of programme will continue however there will be a shift to a more consistent national approach and a change in the administration of the RDPE around the country.
Over the remainder of the delivery programme (2011/2012 – end of 2013) there is around £384 million available under Axis 1 and 3 of the RDPE to support improvements in farming competitiveness and support for the broader rural economy. Budgets for 2011/2012 are heavily committed with limited scope for new applications; however there are still priorities for support including a specific emphasis on support for the Uplands.
Cumulus can help to identify opportunities for farm businesses and other organisations and utilise RDPE funding where appropriate. Please contact us for further information.
CAP Reform – Update
Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform has not gone away! Following the publication of the European Commission's proposals for CAP reform in November, there has been continued debate on the future shape of the CAP. However, currently, budget discussions dominate in terms of both the overall size of the EU budget for 2014-2020 and the CAP's share of the total budget.
In due course the Commission will publish its legislative proposals, expected to be later this year. Before then much remains to be settled and there continues to be scope for influencing the debate. Recent Cumulus projects relevant to CAP reform include our work on HNV farmland and research into Article 68 (support for specific sectors and/or specific types of farming).
Other news in brief
Sustainable fisheries. We were delighted to undertake work recently for a client assessing the impacts of a change from conventional to more sustainable management of a shellfishery. Working with specialist consultant, Hydrosurveys, we assessed the physical and financial impacts of changes in the intensity and practices involved in mussel and cockle harvesting, including the effect on the capital value of the fishery. This was a good example of dovetailing our chartered surveying and natural resource management skills, and applying them to the coastal/marine environment.
Economic and environmental 'win-wins' on farm. Following earlier work in 2006 and 2009, we have updated a series of eight datasheets highlighting the financial benefits associated with the adoption of good environmental practices on farms in Wales. A CD, with the datasheets and an interactive ready reckoner, has been developed for advisors and farmers as part of the Farming Connect initiative. The work was carried out with FWAG Cymru for the Countryside Council for Wales and the Welsh Government.
ELS Training and Information Programme (ETIP). We have now completed a preliminary assessment of the impact of the ETIP programme on ELS option selection on behalf of Defra, working with partner Delta-Innovation. The early evidence is positive with the programme reinforcing option choice (providing assurance of correct choice) and encouraging some farmers to change options. Our Report is available on Defra's website.
Farmer and landowner flyer. We have produced a flyer targeted at farmers and landowners which has been well received. For a PDF version click here or let us know if you would like a hard copy.
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