Helping farmers and land managers make the right choices

Farmers and land managers are being encouraged to take part in the Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) Trail at this years CLA Game Fair to find out how they can participate in the initiative.

The Campaign partners have developed the Trail in the Exploring Nature interactive area at the Game Fair from July 23 to 25 at Ragley Hall, Warwickshire. The Trail will start at the CFE stand (J789) where local coordinators, farmer chairmen from county groups and representatives from the Campaign partnership will be on hand to answer questions.

Farmers and land managers will be able to talk to advisers on the CLA, FWAG, GWCT and RSPB stands, and FWAG and Kings Game Cover and Conservation Crops will showcase pollen and nectar mixtures, while offering practical agronomic tips on the options and measures that the Campaign is encouraging farmers to put in place. The Wildlife Trust, BASC and the Woodland Trust will also show their support for the initiative at the show.

CFE national coordinator, Corrina Gibbs said: The Campaign Trail at the Game Fair is the ideal opportunity for farmers and land managers to find out how they can take part in the initiative. There will be no shortage of advice and support to help them make the right environmental choices that are agronomically practical and work for their holding.

Over the past few months many farmers and land managers have been renewing their Entry Level Stewardship (ELS) agreements and it is pleasing that in-field options are being selected in new agreements. The Trail will provide useful advice on these key in-field options and farmers and land mangers are being urged to find out more about the Campaign voluntary measures which can be placed in areas that are difficult to cultivate, drill or spray.

1. Campaign for the Farmed Environment partners are the NFU, the Country, Land and Business Association, the Agricultural Industries Confederation, the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust, Linking Environment and Farming, Defra, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the RSPB. They have been joined by the Association of Independent Crop Consultants and the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers to create a powerful national partnership.

2. The Campaign website www.cfeonline.org.uk – provides useful information about the campaign targets, themes and voluntary measures. It also highlights activities at a local level including coordination details, a diary of events and details of Beacon Farms.

3. To find out more about the campaign visit www.cfeonline.org.uk , email cfeonline@nfu.org.uk or call 02476 858536.

4. For case studies and pictures call CFE national coordinator Corrina Gibbs on 02476 858536 or email corrina.gibbs@nfu.org.uk