Natural England

25 July 2008

The Government’s acceptance of the Curry Group’s recommendations on how to secure the environmental benefits of set-aside is good news for the natural environment, said Natural England today (25th July 2008) in response to the announcement that mitigating measures are needed as soon as practical. We agree this is necessary to ensure that the wildlife benefits of set-aside are not lost.

Sir Martin Doughty, Chair of Natural England said: “It is clear that set-aside has made a real difference for wildlife in England at a time when biodiversity has been under considerable pressure. Skylarks, linnets and lapwing are just a few of the species to have benefited.”

“This report from Sir Don Curry has given us a clear picture of the environmental impacts likely to result from the ending of set-aside. His report and the Environment Secretary’s announcement have given a clear steer about how cross-compliance and agri-environment schemes need to mesh together to address this issue on a sufficient scale.”

“Natural England can confirm that we will be working with Defra, the Rural Payments Agency, the farming sector and environmental NGOs over the next few months to help develop an effective and deliverable mechanism for ensuring that the vital wildlife benefits previously delivered through set-aside can be preserved over the coming years, but in a more focused and efficient way.

Sir Martin, continued: “We fully support the report’s conclusion that farmers should be encouraged to retain existing uncropped land and to manage this in a way that optimises the environmental benefits. Entry Level Environmental Stewardship can provide incentives for those wishing to do this or to undertake other positive environmental management.

“I should like to echo the Secretary of State’s thanks to Sir Don for his chairmanship of the High Level Set-aside Group. It played a large part in bringing the very varied interests represented on that group to a common position,” concluded Sir Martin.