CRUCIAL SURVEY FOR CFE NEEDS RECORD FARMER SUPPORT

Farmers are being urged to reveal how they are protecting and enhancing the agricultural landscape before a major initiative is reviewed by the Government. On February 20, a Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) survey will be issued to 5,500 randomly selected farmers across England to find out how much land is managed outside of paid agri-environment schemes.

Jim Egan, chair of the campaign’s delivery group, said the results of this survey would play a huge role in informing both campaign partners and Farming Minister Jim Paice of what farmers and the CFE have achieved when it gets reviewed in the summer.

“We need a strong farming voice to demonstrate that land can and is being managed responsibly without regulation. Without the evidence from this survey, Government may not be able to support voluntary industry-wide approaches in the future,” added Mr Egan.

The survey of 11 questions will take approximately 15 minutes to complete and farmers should answer these based on their land management for the current 2011 to 2012 cropping year. Reminders will be sent to those who have not returned the survey within two weeks of it being issued.

Yorkshire arable farmer Richard Bramley said: “There really has never been a better time to show support for the CFE’s voluntary approach to managing your farm. It is vital that all growers, who receive a February survey, complete the form and return it – for the good of the campaign and for your own benefit. A few minutes spent form filling now could help reduce the risk of many years of burdensome and expensive regulation.

“With discussions on ‘greening measures’ at the forefront of the CAP debate and the importance placed on demonstrating value for money to the public, this will provide the information needed to demonstrate the excellent environmental work being carried out voluntarily by English farmers.” Results will be available in mid-May.

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