Herefordshire FWAG has just submitted its 200th Entry Level Stewardship application. The application for Alan Watkins of Millhalf Farm, Whitney on Wye brings FWAG’s total of acres entered into the scheme to 64,780. Add this to their 100 per cent success rate with Farm Environment Plans for Higher Level Stewardship and it demonstrates why FWAG has such a good track record in the county.
“For the past twenty-five years we have been giving farmers advice,” said Margot Porter, FWAG’s Development Manager, “we have seen enormous changes in agriculture and particularly in the role that the environment has played in the farming business. Increasing regulation and in particular cross compliance means that farmers must now take account of these issues in all their farming activities.”
She said that FWAG’s team of three advisers has sound environmental knowledge and a full understanding of the rules and regulations. The local team has the backup of the FWAG national organisation, which is represented on government environment and farming steering groups. When it comes to Environmental Stewardship schemes, FWAG advisers have regular contact with defra and scheme project officers know that an application from FWAG will be of a high quality. This experienced background is one of the main reasons that FWAG continue to be thought of as the first point of call by farmers for help.
“Our advice nowadays runs from advice on specific habitats such as woodland, wetland or orchards to stewardship schemes applications and the management plans for these, and to regulatory issues such as cross compliance, diffuse pollution, NVZs and nutrient budgeting,” said Mike Williams, FWAG adviser. He explained, “One day we can be doing an application for Entry Level, the next we might be doing an environmental health check, ensuring that the farmer understands what is required for cross compliance or for Stewardship Schemes, another day we could be completing a soil, waste or nutrient management plan.”
Farmers wanting advice should call FWAG 01544 318716.
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