Farming

Farming: Whole Farm Approach

Harvesting crops

The Whole Farm Approach (WFA) is designed to lighten the regulatory burden on farmers and growers in England. It offers a faster and more efficient way of doing business between government and the farming industry and over time will help reduce the number of duplicated requests farmers receive from Defra and its agencies for information.

These pages provide background on the programme and enable you to sign up for the WFA.

Whole Farm Approach - Latest

On 28 May, the June Survey of Agriculture and Horticulture will be available electronically via the Whole Farm Approach. The online survey has been updated and enhanced following feedback from December 2007 survey users so that:

  • it is easier to use and quicker to complete
  • users can shape the questionnaire to see only questions relevant to them
  • information is collected and validated in one go so there is less chance of users being contacted by the survey team

In June 2008 the Whole Farm Approach will see the following new features:

  • an updated Cross Compliance questionnaire and guidance
  • the ability to complete waste exemption notifications without first completing the baseline questionnaire

Whole Farm Approach – Catchment Sensitive Farming (16 September 2007)

The Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Advisory Tool was made available to farmers and growers via the Whole Farm Approach in September 2007. The CSF Advisory Tool is designed to work online and does not require a CDRom.

Further information

Contact us

If you have any questions about the Whole Farm Approach, please see our Frequently Asked Questions or contact the Helpline team on 08459 335577, or by e-mail to wholefarmhelp@defra.gsi.gov.uk

If you are a farmer who wishes to sign up for the Whole Farm Approach, please visit www.wholefarm.defra.gov.uk to take you to the sign-up pages of the site.

Page last modified: 17 June 2008
Page published: 11 November 2003

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs