NFU fights to get fair deal for hill farmers

The NFU has fought to get a fair deal for hill farmers after Defra announced plans to introduce an Upland Entry Level Scheme to replace the current Hill Farming Allowance during 2010. The scheme, announced today, comes after two years of detailed negotiations with Natural England and Defra.

“Hill farming is vital to the landscape and wildlife of Britain’s uplands”, said NFU Vice President Paul Temple. “Without continued livestock grazing by sheep and cattle many of our National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty would be unrecognisable and inaccessible to the public.

“This scheme will be vital help for hill farming at a time when incomes have slumped to a 10-year low of £6,000/farm. It is entirely right that Upland ELS should provide additional payment for the extra commitment hill farmers make to protect and manage Britain’s most hostile farmed landscape.

“We have always been concerned that Natural England must be able to deliver the Upland Entry Level Scheme from day one. So I am relieved that the Minister has decided to roll forward the current HFA for another year into 2010 and so ensure hill farmers have time to enter the Upland ELS without fear to their cashflow.”

Defra is to introduce the Upland ELS as a ‘supplement’ to the current Entry Level Scheme from July 2010. It will offer annual payment in return for continued farm and landscape management. Support will be available for hay making, retaining cattle and protecting stone walls as well as maintaining stocking across heather and grass moorland.

NFU uplands spokesman and Cumbria hill farmer Will Cockbain said: “I am pleased that Natural England and Defra have listened carefully to the concern expressed by hill farmers during the pilot phase last summer and taken the pragmatic decision to roll forward HFA into 2010.

“Farmers are rightly concerned that this money goes to those who actively farm the land not those who happen to own it. Last summer we made clear that the scheme as was tested had significant practical problems for farmers. Following constructive discussions this autumn our main concerns have been resolved including higher rates for boundary management.

“Those on short term tenancy agreements also need access to this scheme – so we welcome the Minister’s request that the industry’s Tenancy Reform Group review and report on steps that could improve their position.”

Notes to editors:

1. Defra has undertaken to review the operation of Upland ELS for those in classic agri-environment schemes and on common and shared grazings. Defra and Natural England have also responded to NFU concerns about those unable to join the Upland ELS in 2010 and who might lose out from the demise of the HFA in 2010. Defra has also agreed to have transitional arrangements for such farmers so that they will continue to receive an HFA-style agreement for the remainder of the classic agreement’s duration. 
 

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