Out-of-date land records could affect farmers’ subsidies

FARMERS could miss out on subsidies because the Government is failing to log their land as ecologically valuable, the National Farmers’ Union has said.

James Rebanks, an eco-friendly farmer, was shocked to find his Lake District land was not logged on Natural England’s map of important areas.

However, independent environment auditors have found that his hay meadows contain more than 100 species, including endangered animals.

“It tells me things like we haven’t got high-priority species like red squirrels or curlews. We do – but it isn’t recorded on the system, so we don’t officially,” said the author of the international best-seller The Shepherd’s Life.

After Brexit, Defra will link farm payments to how ecologically valuable the land is, and whether they are restoring habitats for rare animals or creating meadows, peatland or woodland.

Claire Robinson, of the NFU, said: “As we move towards an agricultural policy that will be based largely on environmental delivery, it’s crucial we have up-to-date and accurate data to properly inform key policy decisions.

A Defra spokesman said the scheme would not be rolled out for some years, and until then the payments would be made in line with the old system. is a member of the Independent

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