Two men with a passion for commercial farming as an essential part of sustainable rural land use across Cumbria are to feature in a DEFRA-funded film.
Danny Teasdale, CEO of Ullswater CIC, was approached by the government agency following the recent visit of a minister to the Ullswater catchment.
Danny then contacted Adam Day, managing director of the Farmer Network, a not-for-profit organisation supporting farmers and their businesses, to take part in the film. A number of Cumbrian farmers and their families were also directly involved.
Danny says: “The message from DEFRA was clear. They wanted realistic feedback from Cumbria about the challenges and opportunities of the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM) currently being developed. Adam and I, along with other farmers, were able to talk openly about where we are right now with ELM”.
Adam says: “I appreciated the chance to chat freely with Danny during the filming. I expressed my growing sense of frustration at the continued polarisation between farming and conservation. The people of Cumbria and 20 million visitors annually will welcome more trees and improved bio-diversity. But they also want to see cattle in the fields and sheep on the hills, just as before, and not just a token”.
Against a backdrop of the Matterdale valley where much conservation work is already taking place on working farms, both men discussed – whilst being filmed – the urgent need to find the sweet spot between viable, sustainable farming and improving Cumbria’s natural environment.
During the ministerial visit, Danny declared that the community interest company could plant one million new trees in Matterdale, and it wouldn’t look any different. “We just restore and replant the hedgerows or field corners. Great for wildlife, helps to store Carbon and also helps to preserve our farming and cultural heritage”.
Danny adds: “I agree with Adam that there seems to be a desire in certain sectors to drive a wedge between farming and conservation. I just don’t see the need for this. At best it spreads lies about the good work going on in the countryside, and at worst it makes farmers less inclined to be involved. All too often people with no connection to our area make sweeping generalisations and imply that we must choose between conservation or farming. It is simply wrong.
“It is not great is it?” responds Adam. “Especially when more people are now beginning to wake up to the absolute need for sustainable UK food production through improved soils, cleaner air and water. ELM could be brilliant, but it needs the right support and engagement with the farming community. I hope the comments of everyone that took part in the film are heeded, because right now, ELM is offering far more challenges than opportunities, making future farm business planning all but impossible.”
The Farmer Network Ltd is an independent, non-profit, farmer-led organisation that provides help and support to farmers and their businesses in Cumbria and the Yorkshire dales, whatever the challenge or opportunity.
