Page 12 - Wildlife News April 2018
P. 12
National news
Wildlife Trusts call for a
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farming rethink
New report proposes a better way to spend public money on
agriculture after the UK leaves the EU
L eaving the EU is a rare chance to matthew roberts and consultation with local people. that for a similar cost to today’s system,
reverse the fortunes of the wildlife, Linking farmers together and targeting public benefits would massively increase.
soil, water and habitats which investment where it is most needed will For the first time, all good quality habitat
post-war agricultural policy has depleted. restore habitats and join them up.” in the area would be well managed and
That’s the message in a new report by The report suggests the current UK expanded. £14m would be invested in
The Wildlife Trusts on the future of farming agriculture budget of £3bn could fund the natural flood management over 10 years.
and land management in England. What new system. We currently spend £144bn n More on wildlifetrusts.org/farming
Next for Farming? suggests that once the on health, £87bn on education and £37bn
UK leaves the EU’s Common Agricultural on defence. Westminster
Policy, payments to farmers should be A study of the River Aire catchment seems to agree!
linked to a wide range of benefits, for shows how this idea could work. A
people and wildlife. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust report concludes Environment Secretary Michael
“At the moment, farmers can sell the Gove has also announced that
food they grow through the market. But Restoring peat uplands would the Government intends to
they can’t sell a whole range of benefits or be more profitable than change the current approach to
services that society needs,” says Ellie degrading them farm payments. Whilst we
Brodie, Senior Policy Manager at The welcome the proposals, one big
Wildlife Trusts. risk remains. Vast areas of
“Our report proposes three public farmland currently receive ‘basic
funds. The money would be allocated payments’, which require positive
through local environment plans management of wildlife habitats,
designed to achieve nature’s recovery. such as hedgerows. When these
These plans would be allocated through payments end, new regulations
local nature recovery plans – identifying will be required to replace them.
environmental needs using local data
For a similar cost to today’s system,
public benefits would massively increase
don sutherland
12 Wildlife news / April 2018
