Robert, who currently chairs the Association of
Drainage Authorities (ADA), will explore how lowland
agricultural peatlands can be better managed to
safeguard productive agriculture as well as
contributing to the government’s net zero by 2050
target. The Task Force will be a key component of the
government’s forthcoming England Peat Strategy.
Today’s announcement coincides with World Soil Day, a
UN-led
campaign to raise awareness about the importance of
healthy soil and the role it plays in our society.
Lowland peatlands provide some of the country’s most
fertile soils, which play a vital role in producing
food for our nation. Centuries of draining these areas
to support intensive agriculture have led to degraded
peat soils, which emit more than 9 million tonnes of
greenhouse gas emissions each year - the highest
emissions of all peatlands in England.
Robert Caudwell, Chair of the Lowland Agricultural Peat
Task Force, said:
Climate change is posing new pressures for lowland
peatlands – including more frequent and intense
flooding events, and prolonged periods of summer
drought. Under such trying conditions, now is the
time to explore how we can farm these lands more
sustainably to preserve their future and protect our
climate.
In the long-term we must harness innovation:
exploring ways for our peatland to help us to be more
resilient to flooding and drought and mitigate
climate change by protecting the carbon stored in
soil. The Task Force marks the start of a
conversation between farmers, risk management
authorities, conservationists and other key
stakeholders, working with Government on a viable
plan of action.
Robert will bring together key players including
farmers, water management stakeholders,
conservationists, academics, and government and its
agencies, to co-ordinate work already underway to
encourage sustainable farming of lowland peatlands and
recommend new solutions. The findings of the Task Force
will inform future agricultural policy.
Robert is a leading figure in water management and
brings over 40 years’ experience in arable and
horticultural farming. Robert is uniquely placed to
explore more sustainable measures, including innovative
ways to re-wet farmed peatlands, effects on flood risk,
farming profits and food production, and long-term
opportunities for paludiculture (wet agriculture).
The Task Force will be supported by four regional
sub-groups, which will advise on the circumstances of
our most extensive lowland peatlands spanning
North-East, North-West, South-West and East England.
The Task Force will also be supported by a sub-group
composed of experts in paludiculture.
Defra will invite members to the Task Force and the
four regional sub-groups over the coming month. The
Task Force will meet for the first time in early 2021
and report to Government in 2022.
