24.02.04
Farm team prepares to put Cornish wildlife to work

A new initiative to help Cornish farmers profit from carrying out environmental improvements has got the go-ahead with investment from Objective One.

Farm Environment Link is a three-year project from Cornwall's Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), which is designed to identify ways of increasing economic benefits from measures that also benefit wildlife.

Objective One investment is being used to set up a new specialist team that will visit farms across Cornwall and Scilly, giving free advice and follow-up reports on potential cost-cutting ideas.

In parallel with the Objective One scheme, capital grants provided by the Environment Agency will be made available to eligible farmers for environmental improvement schemes that can be shown to deliver economic and environmental benefits.

FWAG's Cornwall development officer Jillie Dale explained: "FWAG was set up more than 30 years ago by a group of farmers who wanted to establish an advisory group on how to provide the best opportunity for environmental gain through cost-effective, quality solutions. The Farm Environment Link project continues that process by identifying ways of enhancing the economic sustainability of Cornish agricultural holdings through environmentally-sound land management and other measures that deliver a win-win situation for both farmers and wildlife.”

The new Objective One-supported team, will be based at FWAG's office at Threemilestone near Truro and includes agronomists Dr Steve Burchett and Rosalie Goldsworthy, biodiversity expert Ed Strawbridge and administrator Paula Hichens.

Over the next three years, the team expects to visit 600 farms across Cornwall. All initial visits and the advisory reports produced will be free. Where the potential is identified for economically beneficial conservation measures to be carried out, a follow-up survey will also be carried out to look at nutrient levels in soil and slurry from the farm.

Jillie said: "The team will examine ways of reducing the amount of energy, water and nutrients used on the farm – delivering reduced costs for the farmer at the same time as benefiting the environment. Farming has had to cope with many changes in recent years and our aim is to help agricultural businesses stay in front by thinking ahead. This is a project managed by farmers for farmers, based on the understanding that conservation need not compromise the farm's commercial objectives. The advice that FWAG provides is tailor-made to suit the type of farm and location, as well as the farmer's aspirations, commitment and pocket.”

The Objective One side of the Environment Link project is being supported by £273,000 of investment from the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF), £231,000 from Defra, £42,000 from Cornwall County Council and £10,000 from private sources.

Objective One Programme Director Carleen Kelemen added: "Objective One invests in projects that look at economic opportunities in a fresh and different way and support for environment sustainability is a theme that cuts across the entire programme. The Farm Environment Link project will not only help enhance the environment of Cornwall and Scilly but will also make it commercially worthwhile for farmers.”

FWAG were assisted in preparing their application by Elizabeth Menmuir, Agricultural Co-ordinator for the Cornwall Agricultural Council Development Team. Elizabeth added: "Cornish farmers and growers have been fundamental in shaping the countryside which those who live and visit Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly value so much. With over 80% of the land mass of Cornwall and Scilly managed by the industry this project will provide a useful tool in enabling Cornish farmers to continue integrating environmental considerations into their farm businesses and increase the uptake of the whole farm approach. This project helps to deliver one of the strategic goals of the Cornwall Agricultural Council which is to protect and enhance the unique environment.”

For further information on Farm Environment Link, contact the FWAG office on 01872 275475.

Editor's notes:

European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF)

EAGGF is one of the four funds that make up the Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, which is making £314 million of investment available to support the local economy between 2000 and 2006.

EAGGF aims to:

For further information contact:

Jillie Dale
Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
01326 373823

Jason Clark
Communications Adviser
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Tel: 01872 241379
Fax: 01872 241388
objectiveone@cornwall.gov.uk

back to top