ENGLAND’S new agricultural policy, the Environmental Land Management Scheme for agriculture (ELMS), is hardly out of the door before the Government suggests it’s reviewed as part of its latest growth proposals.
Add to that the possible abolishment of environmental regulations and easier development opportunity in selected ‘investment zones’, including areas in our charity’s region, and it’s easy to understand why numerous nature organisations, environmentalists and the public are outraged by the Government’s Growth Plan and Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill which could undermine existing environmental legislation if implemented.
Although working within the politicised landscape of environmental legislation, our charity focuses on delivering projects based on scientific fact and conservation need rather than being heavily involved in divisive political arguments.
But in the past week, as the government peddles confusion with its vague ideas that could have a huge negative impact on our natural environments, we are not keeping quiet.
Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill
On Thursday 22 September, Business Secretary, Jacob Rees-Mogg introduced the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill. This has the potential to abandon laws that have their origins in European Union policies, including those relating to our environment.
At present DEFRA has 570 retained laws on environmental issues, including the Water Framework Directive that sets standards relating to river health and guards against over-abstraction and pollution.
Dismissing or changing laws that work well for the environment seems short-sighted and a waste of public money and resource, while having the potential to hinder net zero targets and diminish nature recovery by 2030.
Growth Plan
Then, in parts of his speech to the House of Commons on Friday (23 September), Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng said the government will be updating “the planning system, business regulations, childcare, immigration, agricultural productivity, and digital infrastructure” in the coming weeks.
He added the Conservatives planned to “liberalise planning rules in specified agreed sites, releasing land and accelerating development”, which has fuelled environmental concerns.
But as yet there seems to be no detail in the proposals and, along with our network’s national body The Rivers Trust, we consider the suggestions make a mockery of the government’s 25-year Environment Plan and its 2019 manifesto commitments.
ELMS
Introduced following Brexit, ELMS is the biggest shift in farm policy in England for 40 years and it should support farmers and land managers to enhance the natural environment alongside food production.
It is made up of the Sustainable Farming Incentive, Local Nature Recovery and Landscape Recovery schemes that will pay farmers subsidies for nature-based work such as improving water and soil health, creating wildlife habitats to rewilding larger landscapes.
Our thoughts
In February this year, our farm advisor Yog Watkins shared his thoughts on the schemes, as concerns relating to the detail and fairness for smaller/tenant farms were raised back then.
He said: “The objective of this scheme [Landscape Recovery] is to make space for nature alongside farming, not at the expense of it.”
But it seems the government is already looking to review the scheme and causing mayhem in the process.
Another WRT farm advisor Ross Cherrington shared his concerns on his personal Twitter account saying he believed ELMs “is still chaotic, no idea what’s in it because nothing has been released, farmers can’t plan, and the largest [farms] will still get most especially if 1/3 goes on the top tier”.
This led to some comments challenging our charity’s stance on the subject and what advice our farm advisors give to farmers.
Our CEO Dr Laurence Couldrick clarified: “The rivers network expected to see ELMS provide payments linked to natural flood management, nature restoration, and pollution prevention initiatives.
“But the government delivery of ELMS has been piecemeal, with a lack of clarity stalling progress, yet, if it doesn’t go ahead it will renege on the government’s manifesto commitment to leave the environment in a better state for the next generation.
“It will also derail the work farmers in our region and beyond have begun, or are keen to implement, to improve their land use practices.
“In their Food Security Report 2021, the government indicates that climate change and other environmental pressures such as soil, water quality and biodiversity degradation will impact on domestic production so it’s essential any plans put nature recovery front and centre.
“We need transparency and clear detail from this government on what exactly is facing our farming communities, our rivers and natural environments as without support for them any suggestion of sustainable economic growth is a moot point.”
Other members of our staff have questioned the proposals.
Evidence and engagement officer Ian Townsend asked: “How can the government possibly reconcile their proposals to allow a planning free for all and to bin off ELMs when their own much vaunted 25-year Environment Plan opens with “Our natural environment is our most precious inheritance”?
“I fear for the world that my granddaughters and all younger people will grow up to live in”.
DEFRA’s response
The Defra press office responded to news articles citing comments from environmental groups such as the RSPB, Wildlife Trusts, National Trust, and FWAG SW who expressed concerns about these plans.
Yesterday (28 September) the Environment Secretary Ranil Jayawardena took to Twitter to allay fears, saying the government will not “undermine the environment in pursuit of growth”.
DEFRA had said that it will be “looking at the frameworks for regulation, innovation and investment that impact farmers and land managers, to make sure that our policies are best placed to both boost food production and protect the environment” and that it is, due to the current global economic situation, “only right” to look at how best to deliver the schemes.
Our conclusion
Political shifts usually result in changes that are not liked by, nor are suitable for, all. And British politics has had seismic shifts in recent months/years. But whoever is in power must put our natural resources at the top of their thinking. Understanding how we are a part of nature and reliant on what it provides to underpin the society we function in is fundamental to our lives. Power will be a tin trophy if our government forgoes the natural world in seeking it.
We will continue to deliver for the Westcountry’s freshwater habitats as we monitor the fallout from these recent proposals and learn more about the implications when fuller detail is forthcoming.
Contact your MP.
The greatest joy for a charity would be to see the problem it supports solved. But for our Westcountry rivers, despite 28 years of bringing them to life through myriad projects at Westcountry Rivers Trust, we are acutely aware of the ongoing detrimental pressures they face.
By contacting your MP to tell them why you want rivers respected now and in the future, you will be helping to ensure the importance of our freshwater habitats to our lives, wellbeing and economy is fully understood and appreciated by government representatives so they are properly protected.
Find out who your MP is at: theyworkforyou.com/mps
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