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Helping hill farmers protect historic uplands

moorsA new payment scheme will reward hill farmers for protecting and enhancing the landscapes and environment of England’s iconic uplands, announced Environment Secretary Hilary Benn today.

The Uplands Entry Level Stewardship (Uplands ELS) will replace the Hill Farm Allowance (HFA) in 2010. It is designed to ensure that farmers are supported and rewarded in their efforts to maintain England’s historic upland landscape, such as the Cumbrian Fells, Dartmoor and the Peak District.

Through the scheme, hill farmers will be rewarded for maintaining the biodiversity and natural resources of the area, which helps support the effort to fight and adapt to climate change, and for maintaining iconic features of the landscape such as dry stone walls and stone-faced hedge banks.

Mr Benn said: "The uplands are absolutely fundamental to the English countryside. So much of our history, our art, our literature and our sense of identity are tied up in these glorious landscapes, and it is right that we should ensure that farmers are rewarded for looking after them.

“Many uplands farmers are already providing these benefits, looking after the wildlife and natural resources, mending dry stone walls, ensuring that grazing helps the landscape, and looking after historic sites. Through this new scheme, we’ll be able to recognise and reward their commitment and encourage and support others in joining them.”

The scheme has been refined following on-farm testing and consultation with the hill farming community over the summer. Mr Benn said “We have made the scheme more practical and more attractive for farmers by making more funding available and by providing a transition period between the HFA and Uplands ELS. We will therefore be continuing the HFA for a further year and farmers will get a full year’s payment of HFA from March 2010.  Uplands ELS agreements can begin from July 2010.”

Further information

 

Page published: 18 December 2008