Hindsight
Member
- Location
- Lincolnshire
In his 2018 OFC speech, the then Secretary of State for Defra Michael Gove, was the first MP to talk about the removal of BPS, to be replaced with “Public Money for Public Goods”, which is in effect what ELMS will be, also in effect replacing Countryside Stewardship.
With regard CS, he said this:
“On Countryside Stewardship, I want schemes simplified to the extent that any farmer - any farmer - can complete an application in a working day. Starting at the computer after breakfast the whole process has to be able to be finished by six o’clock when it will be time for a well-deserved pint.”
He also said this:
”And the Countryside Stewardship schemes we have run have been dizzyingly complex to apply for – I have made my views on this clear.”
My question is this:
Will the then Under Secretary of State, the now Secretary of State, George Eustice also ensure that the new ELMS does not end up so complicated, with far too many options, which would prevent “ any farmer - any farmer - completing an application in a working day. Starting at the computer after breakfast the whole process has to be able to be finished by six o’clock when it will be time for a well-deserved pint.”?
My take. No he can't. Why do I say that.
Because the objective with ELMS, as I see it, is to have various end results specific to landscape, farm, location, which is why in all the documents published I have seen there is always reference to an adviser assisting the 'farmer' with the application.
The Mid Tier Stewardship we have available today is the 'free for all' application procedure that you refer to. ELMS from what we have seen is split into three tiers. Tier 1 which looks to mirror ELS may well fall into your farmer filled scenario. But Tier 2 and 3 look to me to be more prescriptive and agreed with NE before submission.
But of course the real answer is - I do not know.
Best wishes.
Apologies I forgot this thread is not meant for debate but for posting questions to Defra. Sorry.