Key CFE target in jeopardy

The latest CFE survey results show that 130,374 hectares of cultivable land not in agri-environment schemes is currently out of production in England. This compares with nearly 156,000ha in the February 2010 survey and over 157,000ha in 2009.

The CFE target, set in 2009, is to retain the baseline level of 179,000ha of uncropped land by June 2012. But as high cereal prices reduce the incentive to leave land uncultivated, the prospects of it beign achieved appears slim, on the basis of these survey results.

The survey, published on the Defra website, shows 43 per cent of farms within the scope of the campaign have left land out of production this year, compared with 49 per cent and 51 per cent in the 2010 and 2009 surveys.

However, another key CFE target is moving in the right direction. Nearly, 189,000 of land is in ‘unpaid environmental management’ outside agri-environment schemes, compared with a 2009/10 baseline of nearly 174,000ha, the survey shows. The target of increasing this figure by 30,000ha is now half way to being met.

Farming Minister Jim Paice acknowledged the ‘concern’ about CFE in an interview with Farmers Guardian before the latest set of survey results were published.

CFE was introduced by former Defra Secretary Hilary Benn as a voluntary alternative to new regulatory measures to replace the environmental benefits of set aide.

Mr Paice said he would be reluctant to resort to regulation but insisted it would be a last resort if ‘we get to the stage where the benefits from set aside have not been replaced’. He said he would ‘not be trapped’ into saying how the process would be triggered in terms of the CFE targets.  

“We have to take an overview but clearly we have got to reserve the option to legislate in some way or another. Farmers should not forget that France has done it,” he warned.

He added, however, that there were concerns that some CFE figures, including the amount of land out of production, might not be accurate because some farmers are not recording all the environmental work they do. He urged all farmers to ‘do their bit to record it’ to ensure is CFE is seen to be delivering its benefits.

The results are base on around 3,700 questionnaires returned out of 5,500 sent out to arable farmers in CFE target areas in England. Other results include:

• 65 per cent of farmers have ‘a good’ or ‘some’ understanding of the Campaign, compared with 57 per cent a year ago. 10 per cent have ‘no or little idea’ what it’s about and 25 per cent a ‘limited’ understanding.
• 62 per cent agreed with CFE’s aims compared 58 per cent a year ago and 55 per cent with its approach, compared with 44 per cent in 2010.
• 24 per cent of respondents have put land into some form of unpaid environmental management by choosing at least one of the Campaign measures.
• Overwintered stubbles was by far the most popular voluntary option, covering 96,000ha. The next most popular were reverted arable areas, selective use of spring herbicides, grass buffers and game strips.
• Of those who had taken no action so far, 21 per cent said they intended to in future. The biggest reason for taking no action (43 per cent) was that farmers thought they were already doing enough for the environment.
• 71 per cent were in agri-environment schemes, with 61 per cent in Entry Level Stewardship. 17 per cent of those in ELS joined and 44 per cent renewed because of the Campaign.
• The farming press is the most useful source of CFE information (55 per cent of respondents).

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