Response to publication of Environmental Land Management policy

Today Defra published their Environmental Land Management prospectus, setting out in more detail what they will pay for, including indicative payment rates. It gives some welcome clarity and covers options that will be included in the expanded Countryside Stewardship scheme, as well as details of standards that will be launched this year as part of the Sustainable Farming Incentive.

Farmers and land managers will be able to pick and mix options, all with attached payment rates, ranging from planting hedgerows to improving soil condition. As well as existing options for woods and trees, a new agroforestry option is being developed, and the England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) will be rolled into ELM from 2025.

Andy Egan, head of conservation policy for the Woodland Trust, said:

“We understand Government had a difficult balance to strike. However, the pick and mix approach announced today is a gamble and one that, as it stands, won’t bring the change that is required to halt the spiralling biodiversity loss in the UK, or make our country more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

“The guiding principle of ELM was to see public money for public goods – farmers rewarded for helping nature thrive. Introducing management payments and moving away from packages of standards is a step away from this original principle.

“That said, what it does do is allow farmers to test the water and we welcome the recognition of the need to support woodland management as well as creation, help for farmers to protect ancient and veteran trees, and payments for agroforestry. And we’re keen to lend our support and advice.

“The Environmental Improvement Plan is due from Government any day and expected to outline how everything knits together to hit the end goals of achieving net zero and halting the decline in biodiversity by 2030. The ELM strategy is a key part of this and we hope Government has not shied away from taking on board criticism from both the Committee for Climate Change and Office For Environmental Protection that farming policy, up to now, has not done enough to mitigate or adapt to climate change."

Notes to editors

For more details about this release contact Natalie Stephenson, senior PR officer at the Woodland Trust on 0343 7705795 or email nataliestephenson@woodlandtrust.org.uk

About the Woodland Trust

The Woodland Trust is the largest woodland conservation charity in the UK. It has over 500,000 supporters. It wants to see a UK rich in native woods and trees for people and wildlife.

The Trust has three key aims:

1. protect ancient woodland which is rare, unique and irreplaceable
2. restoration of damaged ancient woodland, bringing precious pieces of our natural history back to life
3. plant native trees and woods with the aim of creating resilient landscapes for people and wildlife.

Established in 1972, the Woodland Trust now has over 1,000 sites in its care covering approximately 29,000 hectares. Access to its woods is free so everyone can benefit from woods and trees.