Environment Secretary Opens Consultation on Future Farming Scheme

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, has today set out details of the new Environmental Land Management (ELM) Scheme, which will replace the EU Common Agricultural Policy.

The new scheme moves away from a system that pays farmers for the total amount of land farmed,  instead paying for ‘public goods’ that benefit society, such as increased biodiversity, clean air and water.

The ELM Scheme will include three tiers: tier one would encourage farmers to adopt environmentally sustainable farming and forestry practices, while tier two would focus on delivering locally-targeted environmental outcomes. The third tier would pay for larger-scale, transformational projects, such as restoring peatland.

In our response to the Agriculture Bill, we stated that achieving positive outcomes will rely on farmers and land managers receiving high quality, consistent advice on interventions – specifically including biodiversity and nature-based solutions – that work for them and their specific circumstances.

We will be responding to this consultation, urging the development of a consistent, high quality advice system for the ELM Scheme. If you would like to be involved in the development of a CIEEM response, please contact JasonReeves@cieem.net.