Land Keepers is a photographic documentary project that explores the culture and value of hill farming in Cumbria, and considers its place within the context of environmental management. Writer Harriet Fraser and Photographer Rob Fraser have spent two years with farmers in the uplands of Cumbria and share their findings through interviews, images, blog, articles and poems.

Well worth a look.

Defra has chosen Cumbria as a new pilot authority for the implementation of Part 1 of the Commons Act 2006. This will allow applications to be made to update the registers with new and historic events, it will also allow the Commons Registration Authority to receive applications to correct errors and mistakes in the registers. Please contact the Commons Registration Service regarding the Commons Act 2006

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Over 100 people attended the AGM last Friday at Newton Rigg. Started by commoners 10 years ago and run by commoners, we have grown steadily over the years. Our membership manages nearly 20% of the common land in England. This makes the Federation a force to be reckoned with and one of the very few authentic bodies speaking for the commons of the country.

Defra ministers announced today via a Written Ministerial Statement published in Parliament that there will be a further implementation of Part 1 of the Commons Act 2006 in England.

Defra’s CAP reform consultation is out and will seek views on a wide range of policy areas. The document is available on-line.

A webinar about parasite forecast in sheep, prevention and cure, is now available on the Nadis website

ESAs and Countryside Stewardship agreements expiring in 2014 can enter ELS or HLS during the 2014 transition period.

The Federation of Cumbria Commoners have written to Poul Christensen, Chairman of Natural England to express our disappointment in the way that Natural England have managed the whole issue of Permanently Ineligible Features (PIFs)  in agri-environment agreements on common land.

We believe that delaying payment while sorting out minor changes due to PIFs in an agreement is disproportionate, unfair and causes hardship. NE should have considered alternatives to holding up of payments including;

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Nick Boles has announced a review of planning policies in National Parks with the intention of ensuring the right balance between encouraging economic development and protecting the environment.

The planning minister’s announcement came last week during a debate initiated by Simon Hart MP.

On 29 July 2013, DEFRA launched a consultation which paves the way for the introduction of the new sheep database and reporting system in England in spring 2014. This consultation also relates to goats and deer although as little change is proposed, the NFU response will focus on sheep. This consultation covers several areas including some less controversial housekeeping changes that must be made to the regulations; however it includes the proposal to remove the derogation for non-electronic slaughter tags.

The key points to consider include: