Test and Trial hosts Minister visit 09/08/21

We were delighted to host a visit from Minister Victoria Prentis to the Lake District last week

The Minister, Victoria Prentis MP, requested a visit to learn more about our Environmental Land Management (ELM) Test and Trial project and talk to the commoners on Nether Wasdale Common. This is one of the groups that we’re working with to develop a model for delivering ELM on Commons. This national project is funded by Defra and delivered by the Foundation for Common Land with the Federation of Cumbria Commoners.

We were delighted to be able to welcome the Minister as well as the local MP and Defra civil servants on the 4th August for a picnic lunch on the common; fortunately the day was glorious.

The discussions covered a wide range of issues focusing on the Test and Trial and land management more generally. These included:

·       Baseline assessments of habitat condition on the common,

·       The costs associated with developing new agreements,

·       The availability and access to reliable data

·       Stocking rates and grazing

·       Visitor access and pressure especially on areas of SSSI

·       Higher Level Scheme roll overs

The Minister’s visit provided an opportunity to raise issues that are key for many Commons in the Lake District, whilst pointing out the complexity of Commons Management more generally and the importance of ELM being designed in a way that can reflect this complexity.

We also highlighted the important role that sustainable farm businesses in the Lake District play in delivering outcomes for nature and climate, as well as considering the wide range of public goods the Common provides.