Arable fanners' participation in agri-environment schemes: past and present involvement and a look to the future

摘要

Due to public concern over the environmental impacts of fanning and changes in governmental priorities, agri-environment schemes were introduced during the 1980s. Historically the schemes have focused on improving grassland areas, however opportunities for involvement in these schemes for arable farmers increased significantly with the roll out of the new 'broad and shallow' agri-environment schemes in England and Wales in 2005. Introduction of the new scheme in England was welcomed by many farmers and take-up by arable fanners has been high. Take up so far in Wales has been less encouraging. The success of these schemes will be monitored closely in the future and they must be seen to be meeting their objectives. Many would suggest a landscape approach would deliver more benefits but such schemes would be difficult to deliver in arable areas and farmers may be reluctant if the flexibility of the current scheme in England is lost.