Friday 7 January 2022

Government to pay farmers for sustainable action

The government has announced a new plan to achieve net zero in the agriculture industry, restoring 300,000 hectares of wildlife habitat by 2042 in the process.

The Local Nature Recovery scheme has been set up to reward farmers and landowners for actions that protect and benefit the environment. They will be paid for planting trees, protecting wildlife and restoring peat and wetlands.

Halting the decline of species by 2030, having 60% of England’s soil under sustainable management and restoring habitats are the key aims of the new scheme.

Up to 15 pilot projects will be selected for the first wave of the scheme, with predictions that these alone could have the benefit of restoring 10,000 hectares of habitat, produce carbon savings of up to 50,000 tonnes and improve the status of half the threatened species in England.

Environment Secretary George Eustice commented: “Through our new schemes, we are going to work with farmers and land managers to halt the decline in species, reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, increase woodland, improve water and air quality and create more space for nature.”