The evidence we use to develop our environmental land management schemes 

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A patchwork of fields including sheep and cows taken in the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire.

We’re committed to ensuring that the policies underpinning our environmental land management schemes are based on the very latest and best possible evidence. One evidence source is the recently published qualitative environmental impact assessment (QEIA). In this post I’ll give an overview.  

Webinar follow up: the offer for arable and horticulture growers

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming and Countryside Team, Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure, Sustainable Farming Incentive, Webinars

On Thursday 29 February, we held a webinar for arable and field horticulture growers in England. In this post, I’ll share the recording and summarise the themes that emerged in the questions and I’ll set out the best ways for you to get answers.

Farming Equipment and Technology Fund: improving productivity and slurry management grants available

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Grants, Payments for equipment, technology and infrastructure

I am pleased to say you can now apply for a productivity and slurry management grant through the Farming Equipment and Technology Fund (FETF). In this post, I’ll set out the process to apply, links to the guidance and details of an upcoming webinar to learn more.

The future of hedgerow protections in England: consultation response

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Farming and Countryside Team

In June 2023, we launched a consultation on hedgerow protections in England. Today, we published the summary of the responses alongside the government's response. This includes proposed exemptions to the requirements. In this post, I'll share a summary.

FiPL spotlight: improving nutrient use and reducing nitrate and phosphate pollution in the Broads

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Payments to support National Parks, National Landscapes and the Broads
Person in a green field being down to test nutrient levels

In this Farming in Protected Landscapes spotlight post, we hear from Juliette Howlett of the Broads Authority. Working with the Waveney Farming Cluster, this FiPL project seeks to improve the efficiency of nutrient use and reduce nitrate and phosphate pollution.

The SFI pilot: designing the improved offer with farmers 

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot
SFI pilot farmers discuss their work at a workshop

Since 2021, over 800 farmers in England have been testing an early version of the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), delivering 10,000 actions on their land. In this post, I’ll explain how farmers in the pilot have helped us to shape the current and future offer. I'll also include a video which gives an overview of our work.