your not far wrong, its a poor state were in when no matter what GOV is in charge no political loyally here, that none of them are really that bothered about our own countries well being1)No mention of food in elms. So my question
With the uptake of elms this will reduce agricultural production from a country that isn’t self sufficient. This will lead to increased imports from countries with a higher carbon footprint in food production and lower welfare standards. How will you that’s in charge of ELSM explain this to the public?
2) you couldbe known for doing to agriculture what Mr Beeching did to the railways. Are you happy with this comparison?
Agreed.A lot of money gets spent on administration and bureaucracy will you guarantee a percentage of the budget goes to the farmer rather than spent on administration like it does now with countryside stewardship compared to the BPS?
1)No mention of food in elms. So my question
With the uptake of elms this will reduce agricultural production from a country that isn’t self sufficient. This will lead to increased imports from countries with a higher carbon footprint in food production and lower welfare standards. How will you that’s in charge of ELSM explain this to the public?
2) you couldbe known for doing to agriculture what Mr Beeching did to the railways. Are you happy with this comparison?
3) as found out with the free school meals fiasco a lot of money get spent on administration and bureaucracy will you guarantee a percentage of the budget goes to the farmer rather than spent on administration like it does now with countryside stewardship compared to the BPS?
This^^, something i'm accutely aware of being on the wesh border, is just how much funding is or was available through farming connect, it wasn't long ago you could get 80% funded hgv licences iirc.One of the key failures of farm policy of the last 30 years has been training and "knowledge exchange". The old Agricultural Training Board used to facilitate free or subsidised training courses throughout agriculture benefiting productivity, profitability and farm safety. I had free training from the ATB in 1st Aid, Tyre repair, Chainsaw safety and maintenance, Tree felling, Calving cows, Hedge laying and Crop sprayer operation amongst other things.
Will subsidised training feature in either ELM or the SFI?
You can enquire about ways to get involved in supporting any aspect of the agricultural transition period by emailingAre DEFRA looking for ELMS trial farms, if so how would you apply to take part?
Good point, but aren't some of the options going to be compatible with productive farming, but using more environmentally friendly methods?I think it's fair to challenge DEFRA to try and maintain profitability vs our EU neighbours, particularly as though there is still tariff free access for goods. It's quite important!
What would you rather have (per 100 acres).
ELMS payment of say £8k, but option A you've got to put 40 acres into stewardship options at a rate of £200/acre. Or option B, same £8k, but £800/acre on 10 acres of stewardship options. Option B leaving you with another 30 acres of cropping income.
I think the way it is structured can make a big difference to profitability. I think that's a reasonable point to discuss.
Any new scheme needs to take into account the value of existing small fields, hedges, permanent pasture, stone walls, trees, ponds and existing habitat rather than just pay out for new things that are created for the scheme. And to be flexible enough to recognise that all areas of England have very different growing conditions.Is it possible to tailor elms to regions rather than have a on size fits all scheme. At the moment their are plenty of options for east Anglian arable farmers, but barely any for livestock farmers and mixed farmers in particular?
Fair point. Don't know. Think it's in 3 tiers, so I guess the base tier will.Good point, but aren't some of the options going to be compatible with productive farming, but using more environmentally friendly methods?
One of DEFRAs declared aims for the "sustainable farm incentive" is to retain farm profitability.
Related to this and my earlier question about fairness in the rules: Will the rules still allow DEFRA to end a scheme early without penalty and, if so, will the same apply to applicants? If not why not?How long will the contracts be? Some options deliver benefits very quickly. Others will take a much longer time e.g. carbon sequestration, forestry, flood water management.
In CS, we had some options that were 10 years whilst most were 5 years
What guarantee do we have that productive farmland will not be designated SSSI on the strength of perceived environmental improvements brought about by being managed in compliance with an ELM scheme agreement thereby legally locking the landowner in to that management permanently even if the payments cease?Compulsory SSSI designations and restrictions have made land less productive, less profitable and caused a reduction in capital value (compared to neighbouring non-SSSI land).
Farmers have never had any compensation for this. Will ELMS redress this issue, and offer higher payment rates for SSSI land.
How about fully-funded certificated training in ecological assessment of farmland to the necessary standard to self-certify scheme outcomes?Maybe training should be offered/given to ELMS participants in the key 6 areas of outcomes intended
Air Quality
Water Quality
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Flood Mitigation
Countryside Amenity Value and Culture
then the outcome is 'guaranteed' therefore payment should be 'guaranteed' - even as @Rob Garrett has alluded, paid as an upfront payment win-win!
Compulsory SSSI designations and restrictions have made land less productive, less profitable and caused a reduction in capital value (compared to neighbouring non-SSSI land).
Farmers have never had any compensation for this. Will ELMS redress this issue, and offer higher payment rates for SSSI land.