The Government has announced the extension of the successful Farming in Protected Landscapes programme for a further three years.
In an address to the Oxford Farming Conference on 8 January, the Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds MP announced an extension to the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. This includes £30 million in funding for the next year to support farmers across England’s 44 National Parks and National Landscapes, including the North Wessex Downs National Landscape (NWDNL).
Impact over the past four years
Richard Clarke, Chair of the NWDNL FiPL Local Assessment Panel, said:
“The £4.1 million invested through FiPL in the North Wessex Downs over the past four years has had a huge impact, bringing benefit to businesses and the local community, enhancing the landscape and supporting nature-friendly farms, as well as improving access and education opportunities. We are delighted that this programme has been extended, enabling us to achieve even more lasting improvements over the next three years.”
Over the four years of the North Wessex Downs FiPL programme 180 grants have been given to over 70 individual farmers for a wide range of projects. Over 4,500 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat has been managed or created, nine threatened species have been targeted, 8,500 metres of hedges have been planted or restored, and 35 projects completed to reduce flood risk. The NWDNL FiPL programme has involved the community and improved access, leading to more than 500 volunteer days, and the creation of five kilometres of new permissive paths.
One of the projects funded was GPS-enabled “NoFence” collars at Sheepdrove Organic Farm as part of a pioneering a biodiversity-first approach to winter grazing. Targeted winter grazing means pastures can rest in spring and summer — when they’re buzzing with life — so they grow back richer in flowers and seed, safer for ground nesting birds, and more resilient year after year.
Support for nature, climate, people and place
Henry Oliver, NWDNL Director, of the NWDNL, said:
“Nationally, the FiPL programme focusses on four themes set out by the Government of nature, climate, people and place. It’s our job to translate those into local priorities that help to deliver the statutory North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan.
FiPL has been transformational for us in the North Wessex Downs. It has enabled us to dramatically extend and deepen our working partnership with local farmers and land managers. It’s not just about providing grant funding, important though that is. Crucially, it’s also about offering advice, helping to foster collaboration among farmers and co-ordinate action to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the North Wessex Downs at a genuinely landscape scale.”
Image: Nick and Lucy Tyler from Kingsplay Farming who received FiPL funding to improve the visitor experience they could offer.
Find out more about Farming in Protected Landscapes here.
