FWAG supports voluntary approach to set aside

Letter from FWAG Chairman to farming press

As a working farmer who has embraced Stewardship, and also in my role as Chairman of the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG) I am writing to support Option B, the voluntary approach, under the current set aside consultation. 

FWAG has been working with farmers for 40 years to raise the awareness that environmental gain can be an integral part of every farm business.  It is time to move on from the either/or culture, and recognise that business success and environmental performance go hand in hand.  Environmental Stewardship is a viable option for all farming enterprises, but as any FWAG adviser would tell you, it's not all about Stewardship.  Each farmer or land manager can make a difference by undertaking a host of actions that need not cost money or take much time.   Simple measures like leaving a low margin field corner uncropped, not cutting hedges for a year, leaving dead wood and fallen branches, can all create wildlife havens. 

In 2008 FWAG made over 6000 visits to farmers and assisted 400 of them to apply to the Higher Level Stewardship Scheme.  The vast majority of them will be bitten by the bug and over time will take great pleasure in seeing wildlife return to their farms.  With the current debate raging about how to replace the environmental benefits from set-aside, I would urge all farmers to grasp the opportunity that lies before us to embrace a voluntary approach and demonstrate just what we can do to encourage wildlife.

I support all those whose enthusiasm and vision for farming and the environment has brought about so many success stories so far.    Enthusiasm breeds enthusiasm, so here's hoping that if Hilary Benn decides to give us the chance to prove what we can do on a voluntary basis, those who share our passion will inspire their farming peers to embrace the challenge and show what we can do!