Farmers across England are now able to benefit from the advice of
Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) advisers following the
expansion of the programme.
Local Catchment Sensitive Farming advisers provide confidential
on-farm support and advice across the farming community to
encourage uptake of new and existing agricultural schemes and
help farmers comply with regulation to deliver environmental
gains.
Since 2006, 24,000 farms have benefited from CSF advice, helping
farmers take more than 80,000 positive actions to reduce
pollution. Reductions in agricultural pollutants include nitrogen
levels, which are down 4%, phosphorus levels, which have
decreased by 8%, and a 12% reduction in sediment.
Jen Almond, Director of National Operations at Natural England,
said:
We are rolling out Catchment Sensitive Farming advice to all
farmers in England to help them produce food in a way that
protects our water, air and soil whilst minimising losses and
maximising efficiencies.
Our advisers provide valuable advice on agricultural transition
schemes and grants, natural flood management, and how sustainable
farming practices can deliver the greatest environmental gains
across the whole country.
CSF is led by Natural England, in partnership with Defra and the
Environment Agency. Advisers offer a range of support including
signposting to relevant sources of advice, offering one-to-one
tailored advice, including a visit from an agricultural
specialist, or running group training and on-farm events.
Advice on rainwater harvesting is just one of the ways CSF
advisers are supporting farmers. They can provide information on
the grants available, potential cost savings and benefits to crop
yields.
A survey of farmers who had contact with a CSF adviser early this
year found that 83% of farmers who had contact with their CSF
Adviser agreed they were a person whose advice they could trust.
CSF also works in partnership with a range of organisations
including water companies, local authorities, trade bodies and
environmental organisations. Their work has included part-funding
advisers and tools to reach more farmers, enabling them to
increase the resilience of their farm businesses whilst achieving
the greatest environmental gains.
Further information and details on how to speak to local advisers
can be found on gov.uk.
