News & Issues
Representing the views and concerns of hill farmers and safeguarding their interests wherever we can.
Sustainable Farming Incentive not on track
Commons get left behind as usual At end of June, Defra announced parts of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) Scheme were open for applications. As it turns out, the only scheme relevant to moorland commons, SFI Moorland is not yet available for commons. If...
White-tailed eagles may be reintroduced to Cumbria
Mark Jenkinson, MP for Workington is supporting a project considering the reintroduction of White-tailed Eagles to Cumbria and the surrounding region. White-tailed Eagles were once widespread in Great Britain and became extinct in 1916 through human persecution. They...
Increase in SFI payments to commons necessary but not sufficient
At the end of March Defra announced an increase in the payment rates for the SFI Moorland Introductory Standard. Defra plans to launch SFI 22 Moorland Standard in June with a new annual payment rate of £10.30 per hectare - up nearly 60% from their previous offering of...
Successful AGM
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...
What do we know about carbon on commons?
If you missed our Conference on Carbon on Commons or want to see it again you can watch it here Farming offers one of the few effective mechanisms of drawing down carbon from the atmosphere. We wanted to know if moorland grasses are good at holding carbon. The answer...
Events for next generation farmers in the Lake District
Meetings for young and new entrants to farming The Farmer Network, in partnership with the Lake District National Park Authority and the National Trust is organising two events for those starting or developing a farming business in the Lake District. Dates and venues...