A new Government consultation on the way LFAs are designated is in process. The European Commission has proposed to replace LFAs with a new designation known as Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC). This requires a mapping exercise to ensure that land which is agriculturally disadvantaged is captured under the new ANC designation.  LFA land is typically associated with the Uplands of England, but changes may see some designated areas lose their status and new areas come in as agricultural land facing constraint may be located anywhere in the country.

Natural England has confirmed that in the event of further heavy snowfall this winter then livestock farmers - who may have an agri-environment agreement that includes restrictions on carrying out supplementary feeding - would be able to provide their livestock with additional feed.  This would be a temporary relaxation for the duration of any severe cold weather period and it will not be necessary to contact Natural England for consent before carrying out supplementary feeding under these circumstances.

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has called on the Government to take action to help farmers who have part of their farm wrongly labelled as 'common land'.

Tim Farron has been lobbying the Government on this issue. However, DEFRA Minster Richard Benyon MP has now said in a ministerial reply that the rules will not be changed until 2015 at the earliest.

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published its Rural Statement, billed as ‘a contract to give rural communities the power to hold Government to account on rural growth.’
 

Natural England has issued a further call for evidence as part of a wide-ranging review into land management, biodiversity and ecosystem services in the uplands.  Views and contributions are being sought from upland land managers, land owners, industry, academic, scientific and third sector groups.

Controversy has arisen over Natural England’s launch of the “Making Environmental Stewardship More Effective” (MESME) initiative. Several new options are being introduced (mostly applicable only in the lowlands) and points available for low priority options are being reduced or their prescriptions are being made more demanding.

The Federation of Cumbria Commoners welcomes the news that Natural England has abandoned its vision for England's uplands. We look forward to playing a key role in discussions about planning the future of the uplands.

The full story from from Farmers Weekly

The Federation of Cumbria Commoners is a member of the new Cumbria & North Lancashire Farming, Food & Rural Group set up by Defra. Will Cockbain, former uplands spokesman for the NFU and board member for Natural England will be chairing the Group.

Environment Minister, Richard Benyon said;

“We are giving rural communities a new voice so that their interests will not be neglected by Government as they have been in the past.

Natural England has published a ‘package’ of information on its website outlining how the Environmental Stewardship (ES) programme will operate for the remaining two years of its current programme. The idea is to give farmers and advisors an overview of what is coming up and the chance to plan accordingly.

An Information Note containing a summary of the information, including budgets for the next two years, has been produced. Various other supporting documents are also available:

Take action now to help avoid unnecessary delays or reductions and make your SPS 2012 claim as straightforward as possible. Click here to register now to see the online services on offer. More and more farmers and agents are using the electronic service - over 31,000 applied online in 2011. Benefits include: on-screen checks to reduce errors, instant proof of receipt, no postage costs or delays, claim tracking and view and print claim statements and entitlements statements. Go to the RPA website to find out more http://rpa.defra.gov.uk/rpa