Defra continues to undertake Tests and Trials for the new schemes that are becoming available as we transition away from the BPS. One of the areas it has been looking at is the need for advice and guidance. Findings from the Tests and Trials confirm there is an important role for assistance with good advice encouraging farmers to take part in environmental land management.
Results show most farmers think they will need help from an advisor to apply for the Local Nature Recovery Scheme and some feel they would also need advice for the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI). Many involved in the Tests and Trials also said they would like advice on financial planning as it would help show the impact of the delivery of the scheme on their farm business. Feedback has also shown farmers would like flexibility to decide who they obtain their advice from, with practical experience and local knowledge key factors. A Test led by Exmoor National Park found the cost of advice varied considerably, starting from £200 per day but increasing significantly for specialist advice. The average was £400 per day. Many farmers would prefer the new schemes to include the cost of advice.
In terms of the wider advice ‘offer’ as part of the Agricultural Transition in England, the next round of the Farm Resilience Fund is due to open in August. This offers fully-funded advice, training and events to farmers. The next round is billed as ‘interim’ and will run until March next year. At that point the scheme is designed to be scaled-up with a greater amount of funding.