Championing a new era for the farmed environment

The much-touted theme of public money for public goods in the future payment scheme for farmers suggests it is more important than ever for farmers to highlight the good work they are doing for the environment.

It is timely, then, that ‘Championing the Farmed Environment’ is now the new name for CFE and the pertinent rebrand marks ten years of the initiative.

Jim Egan, head of training and development at the Allerton Project for the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust has been involved with CFE since it was first mooted as a response to the threat of compulsory set-aside.

He recalls how the campaign first came about.

“When Hilary Benn decided not to impose compulsory set-aside, the NFU and CLA linked up with FWAG, GWCT and LEAF to develop a voluntary approach to environmental delivery on farms,” he says.

“The first five years of the campaign focused on the uptake of agreed voluntary measures such as margins and wildflower seed mixes.

“A network of CFE coordinators led the work in each county and this was guided by Local Liaison Groups, which included farmers and representatives of partner organisations such as the RSPB and Wildlife Trusts.

“CFE organised more than 100 events each year and these were unique because for the first time, they brought together farmers and representatives of conservation organisations to solve a problem.”

Mr Egan also points to the informative literature which CFE produced which was ‘about doing stuff’ rather than policy. He says it is as relevant now as when it was first published.

Important

As the industry moves towards a post-Brexit future, Mr Egan believes the initiative is more important than ever.

“CFE is about embedding environmental best practice in every farm business and making it part of a profitable farm enterprise,” he says. “The farmer can choose if he does this through Countryside Stewardship or greening, or whether he does it voluntarily.

“Once we have left Europe, the rules for any new scheme will be drawn up at home and there will be more direct pressure on politicians to embrace the environment.

Conservation organisations have eight million members and they will be able to have more influence.

“The challenge will be to encourage every farmer to do something for the environment and CFE has the industry support to make this happen.”

New CFE project officer, Laura Harpham, agrees and says: “The focus has increased on the environmental goods which farming delivers for the landscape, wildlife and the public.”CFE’s name change to Championing the Farmed Environment is a great opportunity to celebrate the work farmers are already doing, and to encourage more to be involved.”