High Nature Value Farming

(HNV) in Wales

Today’s Agenda

11am – 12-45pm – Several presentations to set the scene for this afternoon’s discussion

12.45pm– 1.30pm – Lunch (canteen)

1.30pm – 1.45pm – Tea & Coffee (back here)

1.45pm – 3.00pm – Break out groups & reporting back

European

context

HNV Farming first

identified as a

concept in 1990s.

Since 2006, EU

Member States

have committed to

identify, support &

maintain HNV

farming as a priority

under Axis 2 of the

Rural Development

Programme 2007-

13 – action has

varied across the 4

UK Countries...

*Type 1: Farmland with high

proportion of semi natural

vegetation

*Type 2: Mosaic of low intensity

agriculture with semi natural

landscape features (hedges,

stone walls, woodlands

*Type 3: Farmland supporting

rare species of high proportion

of European or World

populations

HNV farmland covers 26.2%

area share of farmland in UK

Highest area in UK - Highlands

& Islands of Scotland(78.6%)

UK Context Taken from ‘High Nature Value Farming in Europe’

(EFNCP)

*Parrachini et al developed in 2008.

What is HNV farmland/farming in UK?

• HNV farming can mainly be associated with extensive beef & sheep farming in the uplands and marginal areas because of its high reliance on semi-natural vegetation for grazing (Type 1 ie moorland, upland hay meadows, blanket bog unimproved grassland).

• Examples do exist in the lowland where low input systems support a mosaic of semi-natural features (ie mixed farming – hedges, arable plants)

• HNV farming relies upon sympathetic land management practices (often down to motivations of individuals) – eg low stocking rates, mowing of hay meadows, leaving areas of fallow, spring cropping, habitat restoration, etc

Wider benefits for society ....

• Ecosystem Services - Water quality, protection of soils & carbon storage

• Cultural heritage (rural skills/practices)

• Visual Landscape (retention of stone walls, etc)

• Access/tourism

• Maintains rural communities & supports rural economy

Fundatia

ADEPT…

protecting

Transylvania’s

unique farmed

landscapes,

their

biodiversity,

and the farming

communities

who live within

them.

www.fundatia-adept.org

ISSUES

• Restricted by climate, soils, temperature

• Remoteness from market/ transport routes

• Fragile & vulnerable habitats & species intrinsically linked to traditional systems (fragmentation)

• Often small farms (Economic viability for families/young farmers – losing generational knowledge

• Market forces & social pressures (quality versus quantity)

THREATS

• Often outside designated areas

• Intensification

• Abandonment

• Knock on effects of either above = loss of biodiversity

• Poverty – loss of people from the land (culture)

• Loss of cattle (particularly traditional breeds) – losing money at market, increase in continentals

• Renewable energy & afforestation

HNV in WALES

A recent study undertaken by Cumulus Consultants,

commissioned by RSPB, looks at changes in livestock

numbers in LFA across the UK & the implications – In

Wales Cambrian Mountains & Snowdonia NP were

studied. Similar issues arose across both areas:

(http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Final_Report_tcm9-

340975.pdf)

•Intensification of inbye land & pressure on

marginal ffridd (in Snowdonia)

•Less mixed stocking – focus on sheep

•Move towards continental/easycare

breeds

•Less out wintered stock - Move to earlier

silage rather than traditional late hay cut

•Less hefting/ virtually no shepherding on

the hills(some areas overgrazed/

undergrazed)

•Fewer active commoners grazing

Aims of HNV Workshop

• Increase our understanding of HNV farming

– learn from those on the ground

– what support they need to keep farming sustainably

• Work with key partners and farmers to raise awareness of the importance of these systems

• Give HNV farmers a platform to develop a strong, local and passionate voice for HNV farming

• Use this ‘voice’ to persuade policymakers that these systems need a better package of support to reflect their exceptional value to society.