Should we be subsidising this action?

Farmers in the UK receive subsidy every year called the “The Single Payment Scheme”. The scheme is not linked to production but farmers must meet “cross-compliance” standards and demonstrate that they are keeping their land in “Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition”

Ditch canalised, thick old hedge flattened, green field edge gone

The standards of Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition relate to issues of soil erosion, soil structure, soil organic matter and set minimum levels of maintenance so as to avoid the deterioration of habitats and protection and management of water.

In Suffolk these standards are clearly open to interpretation. These photos are typical of the work being done during the winter on many farms receiving the “The Single Payment”.

Old green lane and possible ancient hedges turned into row of standard trees

Ditches are dug out sometimes over 3 metres deep into the clay subsoil. Old over grown hedges are cut down to ground level with the exception of the odd “standard tree”, any hedge re-growth is prevented by annual cutting. Green field edges that are part of “cross-compliance” are reduced to liquid mud by ditch spoil and heavy hedge cutting tractors.

On most Suffolk arable farms over 95% of the land is in arable production and of little wildlife or environmental value. If the remaining 5% of land consisting of hedges, field edges and ditches is heavily managed in the winter these farms become wildlife deserts.

close up of “management work” done to old green land and hedgerow

The improved drainage that results from the deep bare channel like ditches runs straight into rivers and then into the East Anglia fens which at sea level are very vulnerable to flooding. The bare or sparsely vegetated ditches also lead to increased nitrogen pollution.

The activity shown in these photos are not a once only action. Ditches are scoured regularly leading to increased run of water at flood prone times. Hedges and verges are cut back hard on all sides every year seriously degrading their environmental and wildlife value.

It is hard to see how this sort of action meets the spirit of the cross compliance standards and should be rewarded with public subsidy. In addition this farm is used for farm demonstrations by Frontier Agriculture Ltd and is visited by many farmers. It is hard to see how some of the management practices on are in line with Frontier’s stated environmental policies.

http://www.frontierag.co.uk/about-us/corporate-and-social-responsibility.aspx

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