Like many a Farmer, I am questioing just what ELMS is all about actually... Fantasy stuff mostly, certainly the earlier versions of ELMS were.Some farmers I have spoken to are advocating for it, carrying out 'audits' and linking it to the products they are direct selling, labelling it a net-zero beef etc. which they say helps them stand out. Others say trying to become net zero/ trying to farm in more environmentally sustainable manners is economically beneficial. I'm sure more will have other reasons, early days with the project
You raise some points I am thinking about too, what exactly is the point of becoming net zero? what are the benefits of achieving this status? Why should farmers implement strategies to achieve this status?
Much of the existing schemes and the ELMs are being rolled out are aimed at reducing emissions anyway (and other important issues, its not just about emissions), and if more farmers move to these schemes following subsidy loss then more will be engaging in activities aimed at reducing GHG for the sector.
There are numerous threads here regarding whether SFI is actually going to be worth entering at all... For some, a switch to out and out production might be a better business model, rather than engaging with the Govt agencies and underfunded schemes with all the hassles that entail!
In the short term, pasture land is being ploughed up, and in my particular case, old "set aside" land will be ploughed and brought back into production this Summer, as will and suitable grassland areas to increase productivity with the loss of BPS. Prior to the loss, I was content to see a few acres as varied habitat.
I will take "net zero" as serious, when I see the use of oil curtailed, and no I am not an advocate for ER or Stop the Oil, I just cannot stand the hypocrisy within Govt. Jump on a plane to Mexico? "No problem, we will plant a tree to offset the carbon..."