Farm Survey Vital to Influence Change

Exmoor National Park Authority has expressed concern about the possible impact that recent changes in hill farm payments could have on Exmoor’s landscape and wildlife and is urging farmers to help with a study that it has commissioned the University of Exeter to carry out.

The work is in response to a consultation from Defra on the options for the revised Hill Farm Allowance - this is a payment made to upland farmers in recognition of their important role in managing the countryside and to help them cope with the added problems of farming in these remote and difficult areas.

The Centre for Rural Research at Exeter will be carrying out the work over the next six weeks to provide the Authority will solid evidence that can be used to support its response to the government’s consultation. As well as analysing data they already hold, staff at the centre will be carrying out a survey of farmers using a postal questionnaire. This will provide information on how farmers intend to adapt to all the changes in support payments and other schemes and their preferences for the new upland reward scheme. A comparison with a study carried out in 2004 will be invaluable now that details of the new Single Payment Scheme are known so that farmers can plan more accurately.

“Exmoor’s farmers seem to have been particularly disadvantaged by the new agricultural support schemes and it is vital that we make a convincing case to government to persuade them to address these problems. Without farmers in the hills we cannot maintain the fabric of National Park landscapes” said David Lloyd from the National Park Authority.  “The excellent and speedy response we received to our last survey, when faced with disastrous changes to farm support through the Single Payment Scheme, enabled us to put a case backed by real evidence. I am convinced that this helped to influence the change in the scheme that took place, so please fill in and return your questionnaires.”

Any farmer in the National Park who has not received a questionnaire by early next week should  contact Liz Saunders on 01392 263836, e-mail: E.L.Saunders@exeter.ac.uk Alternatively a copy can be found on the Centre for Rural Research’s website: www.centres.ex.ac.uk/crr/ this can be completed on line or downloaded and returned by post.