Exmoor farmers provide advice to UK National Parks

Farm Liaison Officers from National Park Authorities across the UK gathered on Exmoor for their annual workshop last week.

The event, which attracted 20 officers from nine National Parks, was held at Exmoor National Park Authority’s Pinkery Centre for Outdoor Education near Simonsbath. Staff travelled from as far away as Snowdonia and Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Parks for the event. The workshop offered the opportunity for information sharing between the different National Parks, which is particularly useful as many of the National Parks face similar issues.

As hosts, David Lloyd, Alison Cox and Bea Davis, from Exmoor National Park Authority, were proud to show off this wonderful area and in particular the facilities of the Pinkery Centre. Bea Davis said: “We are delighted that so many of our colleagues from other National Parks made such an effort to attend the workshop which provoked some excellent discussions”. Many current issues were discussed over the course of the workshop, such as the new agri-environment schemes, issues relating to organic farming, and opportunities for farm diversification.

The delegates met up with several local Exmoor farmers in a series of site visits, each offering plenty of food for thought. A fascinating insight into moorland restoration was given by Andrew Hawkins of Warren Farm who is currently undertaking pioneering work under his Environmentally Sensitive Area Scheme. Mr Hawkins described how he has made use of baled Molinia in place of straw to act as bedding for his animals. This practice not only saves him plenty of money but he also believes there may be possible health benefits for his animals. Members of the Exmoor Horn Sheep Society also gave an excellent talk on this local breed which was well received by all.

Adrian Shepherd from the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority said: “The workshop provided an excellent opportunity to learn from the experiences of farmers on Exmoor and we will take back some useful lessons to our own National Park”.