Ben Blower – a member of the NFU Environment Forum explains why there is more to farming than meets the eye.
He writes:
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The agreement is with the Suffolk County Wildlife Trust and the area is managed as one of their reserves open to the public. Its success depends on the expertise and knowledge of the staff and the brawn of an ever more knowledgeable group of local volunteers. That it is successful is beyond doubt, but measuring that success is much more difficult.
When the arrangement started it was enough that a few, and it was a very few then, people enjoyed messing about in the wood sharing the delights of spotting an unusual bird. Now it is much more sophisticated, at a time when we are all more concerned with target species and expert opinions. We also have to make sure that the management work’s within the tight rules covering SSSIs and the requirements of the RPA and Natural England to meet my cross compliance obligations and stewardship prescriptions.
There is a great deal more to farming and land management than drilling, spraying and harvesting.
It has become much more than a bird watchers’ paradise and we are now looking after and protecting a huge range of insects, crustaceans, fungi and plants. We are constantly reminded of how fragile this environment is and how easily it is damaged. Its success is also reflected by the huge number of people who have grown to love this place by looking after it, observing it and benefitting from the fulfilment this brings to their lives.
There is a great deal more to farming and land management than drilling, spraying and harvesting. Many people do not realise that it is often the same people carrying out what they perceive to be those “normal” agricultural activities as are also behind some very special “natural” environments.