| THEFWAGUPDATE | 
The regular e-bulletin of environmental and conservation news for farmers and landowners
Issue 2 May 2010 | | Welcome Welcome to your FWAG email update. Our aim is to keep you updated with information about environmental and conservation management. We hope you find this a useful source of advice; please contact your local FWAG office if you need any more farm specific information. We're here to help. In this issue... | A better environment for business |
Cross Compliance -
Where do you fail? The Rural Payments Agency has published a list of the most common cross compliance breaches on its website. The statistics show a breakdown of the non-compliances found under each Statutory Management Requirement (SMR) and Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition (GAEC) during cross-compliance inspections carried out in the 2009 calendar year as well as an individual table showing the number and level of reductions applied to farmers’ claims.
FWAG have reviewed the common failures and issues that you need to be aware of. Click here to read more. |  |
Are predators to blame for
songbird declines?In the most sophisticated, long-term and large-scale analysis of songbirds and their predators ever undertaken, scientists look at the role of predators
in the decline of songbirds. Published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, the authors look at how prey and predator numbers have changed over nearly
forty years, to see if there are associations between trends for particular prey species and their predators. It examines the effects of three avian predators
(buzzard, sparrowhawk and kestrel) and of four avian and one mammalian nest predators (great spotted woodpecker, magpie, jay, carrion crow and
grey squirrel). The study was carried out by the British Trust for Ornithology and funded by Songbird Survival. To read more and contribute to the
discussion why not visit the Farmwildlife Discussion Forum. |  |
Climate Change and AgricultureThis is a topic that is coming to the top of the agenda in agriculture; it is widely recognised that the world's climate is changing as a result of greenhouse gas
emissions from human activity. The Stern Review (2006) showed that the risks from not acting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions far outweigh the
cost of taking action now. All sectors of agriculture need to reduce their impact on the environment and although this creates challenges there are also many opportunities. Read more here. FWAG is working with industry partners in the Greenhouse Gas Action Plan to help ensure these opportunities are both practical and viable for farm businesses. To see the plan click here.
We are also pleased to have been invited to become full members of the Farming Futures which is a partnership that can help you prepare for the impacts of climate change and identify the opportunities for your business. |  |
Plant trees to boost farm
wildlife and good husbandry Trees and woodland have long been a haven for wildlife on the farm, with new tree planting invaluable as a way of not only creating new habitat but also contributing to good land management and acting as an invaluable environmental measure on your farm.
The Woodland Trust MOREwoods programme offers help, advice and, in some cases, funding for native tree planting. Create shelter belts, riparian avenues to prevent nitrate run-off and even a block of woodland for on-farm supplies of wood fuel – all of which will benefit wildlife. For more information click here or you can e-mail woodlandcreation@woodlandtrust.org.uk |  |
Silver Lapwing Awards
last call for entries...Be proud of the work you do. Last call for applications to the FWAG Silver Lapwing Award 2010.
Now in its 31st year, the FWAG Silver Lapwing Award - sponsored by Waitrose and Coombe Farm, is the UK's most prestigious competition that seeks to reward outstanding commitment to environmental practices on a commercial farm. Entries are welcomed from owners, tenants or farm managers and from any size and type of enterprise. Visit our news page for full details of the Award and to download your entry form. First prize is £1,000 and a silver lapwing trophy, presented at a House of Commons reception. Closing date is 28 May. |  |
| Good news for FWAG clients... In the latest survey of our clients, FWAG's advice and service received impressively high marks. The headline figures show that in the last year: - Nine out of ten clients say that FWAG advisers meet their expectations
- 95% of FWAG clients would recommend our services to others
- Eight out of ten clients believe that FWAG gives a service that is good value for money
“The latest survey clearly shows that FWAG is providing a valuable and valued service to our clients” said Andy Ormiston, Managing Director of FWAG.
“It is a tribute to the hard work and expertise of our staff at FWAG and the challenge is now to ensure we continue to deliver expert advice to the
farming community.” We are keen to improve our advice and build on this feedback. If you have any ideas please contact jim.egan@fwag.org.uk |  |
Top tips, hints and links Are you still in an NVZ? Defra have now published the revised NVZ maps which show a 9% reduction in the area covered by the regulation. To check if your farm is still in an NVZ click here to view the maps and here to read more.
Don’t forget Open Farm Sunday 2010. It’s on the 13th June. Register your farm here. Your FWAG adviser might be able to help you on the day – be quick it will be first come first served, so call today.
Are you interested in joining a small group with an interest in the countryside in common for a holiday with a difference..? FWAG trips are planned in 2010 to give an opportunity to experience Bulgaria’s amazing countryside and culture. Itineraries include a wide variety of sites and activities from walks, eco-trails and wildlife sites to historic monuments, farms and craft workshops. Meeting locals, sharing meals with them, and learning about their culture is a key feature. For more information contact phil.lyth@fwag.org.uk or click here.
Visit FWAG at a show or event this summer. Click here to find out where and when. Our next national show will be Cereals: why not visit our stand or come to the Arable Conference Debate where Technical Director Jim Egan will be debating how the Campaign for the Farmed Environment is progressing and its commercial viability on arable farms with Poul Christensen (Natural England Chair), Mark Avery (RSPB’s Conservation Director) and Ian Pigott (Hertfordshire Farmer). | We hope you enjoyed this edition of The FWAG Update
and please do not hesitate to contact us if we can help
you further with any of the issues covered . Kind regards - The FWAG team FWAG HEAD OFFICE
Stoneleigh Park,
Kenilworth,
Warwickshire, CV8 2RX
Tel: 02476 696699 Fax: 02476 696760
Email: info@fwag.org.uk or visit: www.fwag.org.uk/update Reg. Charity No: 326348 Reg. Company No: 1705669 A better environment for business   |
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