by Viv | Mar 17, 2022 | Events, Represent
We held our first “hybrid” AGM last Friday. Over 50 farmers attended, many in person and some online Outlining the work of the Federation in 2021 Joe Relph our Chairman started his report by saying our hearts must go out to the people of Ukraine. He went on to...
by Viv | Sep 22, 2021 | Inform, Represent
On August 25th Rob Cooke, Natural England Programme Director came to Cumbria to discuss inconsistencies in the application of HLS Extensions. He wanted to see the issues first-hand. Rob met two land agents and Federation committee members, Jo Edwards and Charles...
by Viv | Sep 1, 2021 | Inform, Represent
The Federation is calling on Defra and NE to pause reductions in stocking rates when negotiating HLS extensions unti ELM comes on stream. We explain our reasons why. Comparing notes throughout England Over the past few months, we have compared notes with commoners in...
by Viv | Aug 15, 2021 | Inform, Represent
We submitted our response to the BPS Exit scheme consultation. We focused on the sole question about common rights in the consultation. It asks whether farmers who claim BPS on common land should give up their rights if they claim the lump sum. While we like simple...
by Viv | Mar 13, 2021 | Represent
Farmers are often characterised as “hard to reach” by agencies. Maybe its because the meetings they arrange are hard to attend. Cumbria is awash with “partnerships” writing strategies for nature recovery and land management and need “stakeholder...
by Viv | Mar 11, 2021 | Advocate, Represent
Commoners are not being treated equally over HLS Extensions. The Federation of Cumbria Commoners has become increasingly concerned about disparities in the way Natural England are applying the rules for Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) extensions on commons. We...
