Environment

Tim May has made some big changes to the Kingsclere estate over the past decade, shifting from entirely arable to incorporate grassland and three livestock enterprises. Clemmie Gleeson finds out more.

In these uncertain times, it might be tempting for farmers to put the brakes on investment in sustainability but now is the time to ensure the British agriculture sector is at the centre of a green economic recovery, and the support for farmers is out there, says Lee Reeves, head of agriculture at Lloyds Bank. 

As lockdown enters its final stages, in England at least, it is remarkable to consider the changes wrought by this unprecedented time. None more so than the impact the pandemic has had on the travel and transport industries.

Nine in ten farmers (87 per cent) do not know what their farm’s carbon footprint is, according to research by Lloyds Bank. 

The Environment Agency (EA) is considering a system of environmental permits for the dairy and beef sectors to clamp down on pollution incidents.

Frustrated farmers have resorted to spreading a thick layer of animal faeces around an infamous beauty spot, in an attempt to deter tourists from visiting.

Defra non-executive director Ben Goldsmith has called for ‘rewilding’ to be renamed ‘wilder farming’ in order to reassure farmers they are central to the movement.

A massive 80 per cent of rural businesses are expecting their profits to fall in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to the latest Rural Sentiment Survey from Knight Frank.

Many fear nature restoration represents a threat to farming communities in the uplands, but nothing could be further from the truth. ‘Wilder farming’ is a better way to describe the changes needed than ‘rewilding’, says Defra non-executive director Ben Goldsmith.

Flood-hit farmers are set to benefit from a £6 million funding pot, to help with recovery efforts.