The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Nature-friendly farming funds urged
At least £3 billion a year is needed to deliver nature-friendly farming across the UK which restores wildlife and tackles climate change, conservationists have said.
The RSPB, National Trust and the Wildlife Trusts warn a long-term financial commitment to land managers is needed for the UK Government and devolved administrations to meet commitments to restore the natural world and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The three conservation charities say the £3.2 billion spent UK-wide on farm support and environmental payments under the EU system must be re-invested to help farmers produce food in a way that helps nature.
Their call comes after independent analysis for the groups concluded the new proposed “environmental land management” schemes and other measures to support nature-friendly farming would cost at least £2.9 billion across the UK.
Patrick Begg, from the National Trust, said: “If the Government wants farmers to get on board with restoring nature it must provide the certainty and security of long-term funding, backed by firstclass and first-hand advisory services.”
He urged ministers to guarantee the money to farmers “not just for the next one or two years, but at least the next decade”.
Ellie Brodie, of The Wildlife Trusts, said: “It’s crucial that farmers receive advice on how to help wildlife – as well as incentives to do the work required – but it needs to be paid for. Creating bigger, better natural habitats, boosting pollinators, investing in healthy soils, cleaning up polluted rivers, managing land upstream to stop flooding downstream and bringing back wildlife are all things that are good for farmers and good for the wider population too.”
Alice Groom, of the RSPB, said: “This research shows that we can re-invest the public money already spent on farming to deliver public goods through new nature-friendly farming policies.
“Backed by strong legislation, this will provide certainty to our farmers and land managers that they will be rewarded for the positive role they play in restoring and enhancing our natural environment.”