South West CoRE : Environment

THE ENVIRONMENT

Welcome to the Environment theme for the South West's Sustainable Farming and Food Delivery Plan 'Making a Difference'. The aim of the Environment theme is to ensure compatibility between environmental and economic priorities. There are three topics in this theme, each of these can be accessed directly by using the menu above.

To view the The Environment theme of the SFF Delivery Plan for South West England

There is also a page to inform you about the work of the South West Environmental Farming and Food (SWEFF) Group.

Aim & Overview

The landscape, wildlife, heritage and natural resources, which make up the environment of the South West are widely recognised as assets with significant economic, social and cultural value.

Any investment in those assets must therefore aim to deliver further economic, social and cultural returns, as well as an improvement in the quality of the environment as a whole. All who have a stake in the South West need to know the environmental priorities so that, either individually or collectively, they are clear what it is they are managing, protecting, improving or promoting, and why.

Some activity will involve raising standards of environmental management in the region's farming and food businesses right through from farm to plate. There are two ways of doing this.

The first is to reward farmers and land managers for producing, protecting and maintaining the environment that society wants through agri-environment schemes and initiatives. The second is by demonstrating the marketing value to farming and food businesses of food and non-food products derived from well-managed landscapes and habitats.

Other activities, such as reducing food miles, sourcing products locally, lowering energy consumption, reducing waste and using the environment to promote better health are covered elsewhere in the Delivery Plan.

Environmental Stewardship

Landscape Environmental Stewardship is a new agri-environment scheme which provides funding to farmers and other land managers in England who deliver effective environmental management on their land.

The scheme is intended to build on the recognised success of the Environmental Sensitive Areas scheme and the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

It's primary objectives are to:

Conserve wildlife (biodiversity)
Maintain and enhance environment and natural resources
Protect the historic environment and natural resources
Promote public access and understanding of the countryside
Natural resource protection

View the Environmental Stewardship Leaflet by clicking on the image.

You can also visit the RDS SW Pages or the Environmental Stewardship pages on the DEFRA Website.

View Map - Countryside Stewardship Scheme agreements in the SW

View Map - Entry Level Stewardship Scheme agreements in the SW

View Map - Higher Level Stewardship Scheme agreements in the SW

View Map - Organic Level Stewardship Scheme agreements in the SW

For more information visit www.defra.gov.uk/erdp/schemes/es/default.htm.

If you are interested in joining or require more information you can also call the Regional Customer Service Unit for all Environmental Stewardship enquiries on 0845 6024098.

South West Coast Path

The South West Coast Path National Trail - 630 miles of superb coastal walking.

From Minehead on the edge of the Exmoor National Park to the shores of Poole Harbour in Dorset it is the best way to enjoy the wonderful coastal scenery, wildlife and heritage.

Visit www.southwestcoastpath.com

Links

RSPB - A new one-stop shop for wildlife information for farmers

Farms for the Future - How Farming is meeting the Challenge of Sustainability - view this report, with a foreword by Sir Don Curry.