Conservation & Land Management continued from page 29


“There is a lack of confi dence within the sector about the im- plementation of ELMS and high- lights there are some actions, particularly those which require permanent land use changes, where landowners may be less willing to get involved. “We hope that Defra can ad- dress this as they refi ne their plans for ELMS over the coming months.”


Survey summary


64% 76%


57% 44%


will be poor


are worried that ELMs will


not deliver the desired environmental benefi ts


expect switch from direct


payments to ELMs reduce farm profi tability


are concerned that payments


will be insuffi cient


are concerned administration


Morrisons helps egg producers create biodiverse farmland


S


upermarket chain Morrisons is giving an extra 1p per egg back tofarmers on every For


Farmersmedium egg sold – so that they can create more biodiverse farmland.


Money raised from sales of Mor-


risons For Farmers ‘Chuckle Eggs’ will be ploughed back into estab- lishing better free-range farm- land for laying hens. The retailer became the fi rst major supermar- ket to sell only free-range eggs ear- lier this year. Morrisons says its free-range hens cost farmers signifi cantly more to keep as the retailer re- quires producers to plant fi elds with 20% trees. It also insists on enriched nesting boxes and special undercover shaded areas. It says the extra invesment may


also be used by many farmers to create new or adapted buildings for their birds. Farms will also be en- couraged to set aside land for wild bees and insects to increase their numbers.


The Morrisons agriculture team has helped to formulate a pollen and nectar rich fl ower mixture – to establish dedicated bumblebee and insect habitats. For every 16,000 birds they have, farmers have been asked to plant one acre of seed mix. Morrisons head of agriculture Sophie Throup said: “Improving animal welfare and looking after our farmed and natural environ- ment is important for us and our customers. By giving back to our egg farmers, they can create the highest welfare outside and in- doors.


Landowners join biggest


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provides a simple & easy waste solution to suit your farm.


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ever restoration project A new initiative is bringing farm- ers together with conservation- ists to deliver an England-wide network for nature.


The Nature Recovery Net- work aims to restore protected sites and provide an additional 500,000ha of new wildlife-rich habitat across England – an am- bition set out in the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan. Led by Natural England, it brings together representatives from more than 600 organisations to restore landscapes in town and country. It is the biggest nature restoration initiative ever to be launched in England.


New approach Natural England chairman Tony Juniper (pictured above) said: “The natural world upon which we all depend has for far too long been in decline, and now is the moment when we must change our approach, to move beyond preserving what little remains.” Largescale nature recovery


was a complex task that could only be realised if land manag-


30 MIDLAND FARMER • DECEMBER 2020


ers, investors and policymakers worked together, added Mr Juni- per. It was ambitious, but would bring huge benefi ts for wildlife, landscapes and people.


As well as making sure exist- ing protected sites are in the best possible condition, the Nature Re- covery Network programme will recover threatened animal and plant species, as well as wetlands, ponds, meadows, woodlands, and peatlands. Partners include the Country Land and Business Association, Wildlife and Countryside Link, National Parks England and the RSPB. Government bodies include Defra, the Environment Agency and the Forestry Com- mission.


[source: CLA/Strutt & Parker]


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