High Nature Value Farming (HNV) in Wales...Aims of HNV Workshop •Increase our understanding of HNV...
Transcript of High Nature Value Farming (HNV) in Wales...Aims of HNV Workshop •Increase our understanding of HNV...
High Nature Value Farming
(HNV) in Wales
Today’s Agenda
11am – 12-45pm – Several presentations to set the scene for this afternoon’s discussion
12.45pm– 1.30pm – Lunch (canteen)
1.30pm – 1.45pm – Tea & Coffee (back here)
1.45pm – 3.00pm – Break out groups & reporting back
European
context
HNV Farming first
identified as a
concept in 1990s.
Since 2006, EU
Member States
have committed to
identify, support &
maintain HNV
farming as a priority
under Axis 2 of the
Rural Development
Programme 2007-
13 – action has
varied across the 4
UK Countries...
*Type 1: Farmland with high
proportion of semi natural
vegetation
*Type 2: Mosaic of low intensity
agriculture with semi natural
landscape features (hedges,
stone walls, woodlands
*Type 3: Farmland supporting
rare species of high proportion
of European or World
populations
HNV farmland covers 26.2%
area share of farmland in UK
Highest area in UK - Highlands
& Islands of Scotland(78.6%)
UK Context Taken from ‘High Nature Value Farming in Europe’
(EFNCP)
*Parrachini et al developed in 2008.
What is HNV farmland/farming in UK?
• HNV farming can mainly be associated with extensive beef & sheep farming in the uplands and marginal areas because of its high reliance on semi-natural vegetation for grazing (Type 1 ie moorland, upland hay meadows, blanket bog unimproved grassland).
• Examples do exist in the lowland where low input systems support a mosaic of semi-natural features (ie mixed farming – hedges, arable plants)
• HNV farming relies upon sympathetic land management practices (often down to motivations of individuals) – eg low stocking rates, mowing of hay meadows, leaving areas of fallow, spring cropping, habitat restoration, etc
Wider benefits for society ....
• Ecosystem Services - Water quality, protection of soils & carbon storage
• Cultural heritage (rural skills/practices)
• Visual Landscape (retention of stone walls, etc)
• Access/tourism
• Maintains rural communities & supports rural economy
Fundatia
ADEPT…
protecting
Transylvania’s
unique farmed
landscapes,
their
biodiversity,
and the farming
communities
who live within
them.
www.fundatia-adept.org
ISSUES
• Restricted by climate, soils, temperature
• Remoteness from market/ transport routes
• Fragile & vulnerable habitats & species intrinsically linked to traditional systems (fragmentation)
• Often small farms (Economic viability for families/young farmers – losing generational knowledge
• Market forces & social pressures (quality versus quantity)
THREATS
• Often outside designated areas
• Intensification
• Abandonment
• Knock on effects of either above = loss of biodiversity
• Poverty – loss of people from the land (culture)
• Loss of cattle (particularly traditional breeds) – losing money at market, increase in continentals
• Renewable energy & afforestation
HNV in WALES
A recent study undertaken by Cumulus Consultants,
commissioned by RSPB, looks at changes in livestock
numbers in LFA across the UK & the implications – In
Wales Cambrian Mountains & Snowdonia NP were
studied. Similar issues arose across both areas:
(http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Final_Report_tcm9-
340975.pdf)
•Intensification of inbye land & pressure on
marginal ffridd (in Snowdonia)
•Less mixed stocking – focus on sheep
•Move towards continental/easycare
breeds
•Less out wintered stock - Move to earlier
silage rather than traditional late hay cut
•Less hefting/ virtually no shepherding on
the hills(some areas overgrazed/
undergrazed)
•Fewer active commoners grazing
Aims of HNV Workshop
• Increase our understanding of HNV farming
– learn from those on the ground
– what support they need to keep farming sustainably
• Work with key partners and farmers to raise awareness of the importance of these systems
• Give HNV farmers a platform to develop a strong, local and passionate voice for HNV farming
• Use this ‘voice’ to persuade policymakers that these systems need a better package of support to reflect their exceptional value to society.