Published on 31st January, the Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) 2023 for England is the first revision of the 25 Year Environment Plan (25YEP). It builds on the 25YEP vision with a new plan setting out what Defra will do to improve the environment, within a generation.
Defra have previously said that they are aiming to have around 70% of farmers in their schemes by 2028. The Environmental Improvement Plan, however, takes this further and is aiming for between 65 to 80% of landowners and farmers to adopt nature friendly farming on at least 10-15% of their land by 2030.
Focusing in on specific sections of the plan, it can be seen just how important these reforms, and therefore farmers are, to improving the environment.
So, what does this mean for farmers and land managers in England?
Habitat restoration and creation
Farming, through a combination of regulation and public and private schemes, will contribute 80 to 100% of the target to restore or create more than 500,000 hectares of wildlife-rich habitat outside of protected areas by 2042. You can be paid to help achieve these ambitions through:
Countryside Stewardship which includes specific, locally targeted actions to help farmers and land managers prepare for habitat creation and restoration.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive which pays farmers to adopt and maintain sustainable farming practices that in turn protect and enhance habitats.
Landscape Recovery as one of the main focusses for the second round is protected sites and habitat creation.
Species abundance and extinction risk
Defra expect farming and land management to contribute at least 50% of the 25 Year Environment Plan goal of bringing 75% of protected sites into favourable condition by 2042. You can be paid to help achieve these ambitions through:
Countryside Stewardship, particularly as these changes require more targeted actions, for example the supplement for threatened species including Turtle Dove, Brown Hairstreak, Corn Bunting and Stone Curlew.
Landscape Recovery projects which encourage longer term change in specific areas.
The Sustainable Farming Incentive which will include an agro-forestry option from 2024.
The England Woodland Creation Offer (EWCO) which supports the creation of woodland.
The Tree Health Pilot which offers grants to slow the spread of tree pests and diseases.
Water quality and water demand
Defra expect that their farming reforms, a combination of public and private schemes and regulation will contribute at least 80% of the progress required to deliver their target to reduce nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment pollution from agriculture into the water environment. You can be paid to help achieve these ambitions through:
The Sustainable Farming Incentive through which Defra will pay farmers for farming sustainably and protecting watercourses.
Countryside Stewardship. The Capital Grants scheme is part of Mid Tier CS. It provides 3-year agreements offering capital items to achieve specific environmental benefits in 4 groups:
- boundaries, trees, and orchards
- water quality
- air quality
- natural flood management
Landscape Recovery: a theme in round one was improving water quality, biodiversity, and adapting to climate change.
Farming Investment Fund: Over the course of 2023 there will be additional rounds of the fund which will help farmers to invest in equipment and infrastructure which improves water quality and sustainability. This includes:
Farming Equipment and Technology Fund round two: offers funding for equipment, technology, and small infrastructure investments aimed at making an immediate difference to farm performance, including investments that will help farmers use less inputs, reduce emissions, and cut waste.
Slurry Infrastructure grant: offers grants to improve or expand slurry storage capacity to 6 months to improve the use of organic nutrients on farm and reduce pollution.
Water Management round two: supporting farmers to access funding to build new reservoir capacity and to invest in best practice irrigation equipment and technology.
Net zero
Incentives and grants will be provided for farmers to decarbonise agricultural emissions through adopting sustainable land management approaches, new technology, and innovative practices to improve farm efficiency. You can be paid to help achieve these ambitions through:
Landscape Recovery: the main vehicle for peatland restoration, particularly through larger-scale, longer term projects.
Countryside Stewardship: through tree planting and increasing agroforestry.
Sustainable Farming Incentive: the standards contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reaching net zero.
Farming Innovation Programme: supporting farmers and land managers to embrace innovative ways to maximise productivity and drive sustainability.
Farming Investment Fund: through accessing the many grants available to support farmers to invest in capital equipment and infrastructure that boosts sustainable productivity and reduces producer greenhouse gas emissions.
Farming in Protected Landscapes
The Farming in Protected Landscapes programme will be extended by a year to March 2025.
Free, independent business advice
If you’re eligible for BPS, you can get free, independent business advice. An adviser in your area will explain the changes to farming in England and help you plan for the future. Visit the page of advisers on GOV.UK. You can make contact with them directly.
