Contractor: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
Report to be uploaded shortly
This project is part of a wider multi-year programme scrutinising the implementation of nature friendly farming in England and Northern Ireland. Nature friendly farming can be described as a range of Government activities (such as regulations, voluntary agri-environment schemes (AES) and other rural grant schemes) that ensure agricultural land is managed in a way that protects and improves the environment. The overarching objective of the overall programme is to provide a critical appraisal of the capacity of AES to support the achievement of long-term biodiversity targets and commitments.
This project specifically appraised the potential for AES in England to support the delivery of long term biodiversity targets in terms of AES design and uptake. This assessment drew and built on the recent Defra qualitative evidence review of 741 potential land management actions in relation to 12 biodiversity indicators, and wider indicators including air and water qualities, carbon storage and greenhouse gas emissions.
Disclaimer
The UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (UKCEH) were commissioned by the Office for Environmental Protection to undertake an appraisal of agri-environment scheme actions for achieving agriculture water pollution targets in England. The views provided in this report are those of UKCEH and do not represent the opinion or position of the OEP. Some of the analysis in this report was used to inform the OEP’s report Progress in improving the natural environment in England 2024/2025.