Campaign for the Farmed Environment - Indicators of Progress. Approved by NIIF on 11 September Introduction: CFE Targets and Indicators

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1 Campaign for the Farmed Environment - Indicators of Progress Approved by NIIF on 11 September 2013 Introduction: CFE Targets and Indicators The Campaign for the Farmed Environment (CFE) in its expanded role with the other industry voluntary initiatives and now covering lowland livestock farming, retains its key delivery structures at regional and county levels, with Partnership representation also at all levels. The Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides (VI), Tried & Tested and Greenhouse Gas Action Plan initiatives have their own indicators against which progress continues to be judged. CFE has formal land management and delivery targets, reflecting the earlier CFE responsibilities. This paper sets out Indicators of Progress that will more broadly gauge the direction of travel of the agricultural industry with respect to environmental delivery and integration of messaging from the different initiatives, but which are not formal targets. Targets Progress of CFE land management and delivery objectives is monitored via specific targets and will be reported formally to Ministers. There are four land management targets, focussed on land areas managed for farm biodiversity and resource protection. In addition, there are delivery targets, with one farmer engagement target and three advisor engagement targets. The land management themes for CFE are resource protection and farmland wildlife, specifically improving surface and ground water quality and retaining and enhancing farm biodiversity. The CFE land management targets encourage retention of relevant habitats and their benefits over any transitional period as a result of CAP reform post The land management targets are: LM1 To retain the area of land managed by farmers for the environment over the period of CAP transition Scope: A total land area managed for the environment, encompassing land managed voluntarily, under incentive schemes and any future regime (to be reviewed during any transitional period) under listed voluntary measures and key target ES options. LM2 During 2013, new and renewing ELS agreements will seek to have one third of their points from the key selected arable and grassland ELS options Scope: The land area of selected ELS options for arable and grassland farms, to support the two themes of resource protection and farmland biodiversity. LM3 To maintain the area of land managed voluntarily by farmers to provide watercourse protection with an ambition to increase the area over the life of CFE Scope: The voluntary measures that aim to enhance watercourse protection on arable and grassland farms. LM4 To maintain the area of land managed voluntarily by farmers to support farmland biodiversity with an ambition to increase the area over the life of CFE Scope: The voluntary measures that aim to enhance farmland biodiversity on arable and grassland farms. 1

2 Indicators As noted in the CFE Delivery Plan, the move towards an integrated delivery platform that combines other industry initiatives requires an holistic approach. With initiatives retaining their own performance measures and reporting responsibilities, CFE can use indicators to check impact through the local delivery element of CFE. This document sets out high level indicators demonstrating coordination between industry initiatives and embedding CFE s broader environmental remit through the use of tools, guidance and advice. These indicators draw on the existing data sets; they do not intend to duplicate or take precedence over existing arrangements or impose additional performance metrics, especially as cause and effect cannot be traced directly back to CFE and partner initiatives. Progress of indicators will not be formally reported and will be largely used within CFE for informing delivery. CFE themes and objectives CFE will deliver across the environmental themes of biodiversity, resource protection, pesticide stewardship and resource efficiency with key objectives: To maintain and improve the environmental condition of agricultural habitats and landscapes; To embed environmental management as a core principle of all farm businesses; empowering farmers and land managers to understand and address local environmental priorities for their farm business; To provide a coordinated industry delivery platform to achieve delivery of consistent, coherent, non-contradictory messages and advice to farmers; To demonstrate a broad consensus among industry partners and initiatives on environmental issues in the farmed environment. The CFE Delivery Plan highlights five themes: 1. Farmland biodiversity In June 2011, the government published their Biodiversity 2020 strategy outlining how England will halt the loss of biodiversity. Since 74% of land within England is farmland, the industry has an important part to play in helping stabilise and increase farm wildlife (including farmland birds). While on-farm measures may differ between sectors, all have a contribution to make and CFE can help achieve these commitments. 2. Resource Protection Farmland forms an important part of river catchments, collecting and filtering rainwater but also acts as a pollution source when sediment and inputs (pesticides and nutrients) enter watercourses. It is within the agricultural industry s interests to protect soil and water resources, as these are key natural capital assets for farm businesses. The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Member States to ensure water bodies are in good ecological status by Resource use efficiency The agriculture sector is committed to playing its part in contributing to meeting the UK economy-wide target of an overall 80% reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by To do this, the CFE can help promote efficient resource use over the following factors: Nitrogen - in animal manures, crop residues, fertilisers and animal feeds impacting on nitrous oxide emissions Livestock management systems - where methane emissions are related to production efficiencies Energy and fuels 2

3 4. Nutrient Management Improving nutrient management will help towards the Nitrates Directive (1991), which aims to protect water quality across Europe by preventing nitrates from agricultural sources polluting ground and surface waters. The Nitrates Directive forms an integral part of the WFD. 5. Pesticide Stewardship Promoting best practice in the management, storage, use and disposal of pesticides and their wastes can help towards meeting the Sustainable Use Directive (SUD), as well as WFD. The Directive includes a number of provisions aimed at achieving the sustainable use of pesticides by reducing risks and impacts on human health and the environment. Four high level indicators are proposed to cover these themes, using data that is already being collected. Indicators of Progress The following four high level Indicators cover environmental actions taken by farmers for conservation, soil management, nutrient management and crop protection. Reflecting the new remit of CFE, these cover both the arable and lowland livestock sectors. Necessarily, each indicator will reflect the influences of several initiatives, as well as the work of all Campaign Partners. The proposed indictors are: Indicator 1: Attitudes to environmental land management Indicator 2: Nutrient management planning Indicator 3: Spray operator training and sprayer testing Indicator 4: Soil testing Further details of each indicator, comprising rationale, measurement details, expected outcome and data for recent years if known, are as follows. Indicator 1: Attitudes to environmental land management Rationale biodiversity and wildlife are covered via the land management targets LM1 to LM4, so this indicator looks at the wider aim of CFE to embed positive attitudes to environmental management, alongside food production, as a core principle of all farm businesses, empowering farmers and land managers to understand and address environmental priorities on their land. Data source - Defra s March CFE Survey; questionnaire sent to a sample of farmers (5500 in 2013) with 10 ha arable or grassland. Survey question: How important do you feel it is to consider the issues below when taking decisions about your land, crops and livestock? [Very, Fairly, Not very, Not at all] 3

4 a) Efficient use of inputs b) Protecting/benefitting farm wildlife c) Protecting soil and water d) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions Data collection details: Annual timing March Defra survey Outcome an increase in support will indicate that environmental concerns are being considered as part of farm management Available data No matching data prior to 2013 March 2013 Defra survey data: Indicator to be presented using aggregated scores (3=very important, 2=fairly important, 1=not very important, 0=not at all important) Average score 95% CI Efficient use of inputs 2.77 ±0.03 Protecting/benefitting farm wildlife 2.58 ±0.03 Protecting soil and water 2.77 ±0.03 Reducing greenhouse gas emissions 2.04 ±0.05 Max score = 3 4

5 Indicator 2: Nutrient management planning Rationale nutrient management is an important constituent of the key themes of input efficiency and resource protection. The Tried & Tested and the Greenhouse Gas Action Plan initiatives both emphasise the uptake of nutrient management planning which has links to animal feeding management air and water quality and climate change. Tried & Tested works with professional advisers and famers to provide the tools and resources, and the GHGAP reinforces key messages on nutrient management (delivering through Tried & Tested and GHGAP Partner activities). The data used within the indicator below is already collected by Defra within the Farm Practices Survey and is used to assess progress within Tried & Tested and the GHGAP. This will provide a measure of how the Tried &Tested and GHGAP are contributing to the Campaign s overarching objectives and will be a visible recognition of wider benefits of the Campaign, e.g. in delivering Water Framework Directive outcomes. Data source - Defra s Farm Practices Survey Survey question: Have you completed a nutrient management plan for your farm? Survey question: How did you or your adviser/contractor create the nutrient management plan? PLANET Muddy Boots Farmade/Multicrop Industry plan - Tried & Tested Other I don t know Data collection details: Annual timing January Defra Farm Practices Survey Outcome an increase in uptake of professional nutrient management approaches will indicate that resource protection and input efficiency are important considerations in farm management and the combination of the availability of tools and promotion of messages helps with farm practice to benefit the environment. Available data : Proportions of farms and farmed area with a nutrient management plan created using a recognised method. 5

6 % of holdings above FPS threshold 60% % of area farmed by holdings above FPS threshold 60% 50% 50% 40% 40% 30% 30% 20% 20% 10% 10% 0% %

7 Indicator 3: Spray operator training and sprayer testing Rationale pesticide application is a skilled job and spray operators need to be up to date with application technology and the environmental requirements of the tasks they undertake and equipment needs to be accurate and well-maintained. Off-target movement of pesticides, both during and after application, may affect the farmed environment. Operator training is a key action the industry-led Voluntary Initiative on Pesticides is already addressing, alongside the National Sprayer Testing Scheme (NSTS). NRoSO ( registered operators are required to complete CPD training. Data sources - NRoSO/AEA/NSTS Data collection details: VI Annual Report Outcome operator training should improve water quality and aquatic biodiversity though the use of pesticides in compliance with conditions of use and the principles of good plant protection practice. NSTS data will demonstrate how well sprayers are maintained, influencing efficiency of pesticide use. Available data Annual Report 7

8 Indicator 4: Soil testing Rationale maintaining agricultural soils in a good state, including soil chemistry, structure, organic matter etc., helps to protect soils and sustains a key agricultural resource for all field production systems. Soil structure and management influence erosion and the quality of surface and ground waters. The Tried & Tested and the Greenhouse Gas Action Plan initiatives emphasise maintaining a suitable soil status, which has links to water quality and climate change, as well as providing vital natural capital on which farming is based. Nutrient management can be planned appropriately based on soil testing, with economic benefits for the farm, as well as reducing pollution, thus helping to deliver Water Framework Directive outcomes. Data source - Defra s Farm Practice Surveys Survey questions: Frequency of soil testing for nutrients. Data collection details: Annual timing October Defra Farm Practices Survey Outcome an increase in soil testing will indicate that soil health, input efficiency and fertiliser management are being considered in farm management, with expected environmental benefits for surface and ground water. Available data : Frequency with which farms test the nutrient content of the soil: comparison between the January 2012 and October 2012 surveys: January 2012 October 2012 Frequency % of holdings 95% CI % of holdings 95% CI At least every 5 years 71 ± 3 68 ± 2 Less frequently than every 5 years or never or not applicable 29 ± 3 32 ± 2 Based on Defra survey responses from 1142 farms in January 2012 and 2813 in October