Test and Trial webinar discusses key issues for ELM

120 people joined our EPM Test and Trial update webinar on 30th June

On the day that DEFRA announced more detail on the Sustainable Farming Incentive for 2022, the second of our ELM Test and Trial update webinars took place.  The focus was on progress we’ve been making with our public goods mapping work and commons management plans. We also introduced an overview of the Commons toolkit that we’re developing.

The full webinar recording can be viewed on youtube here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-JIvRKK6bA

The DEFRA announcement came with the disappointing news that Low input and unimproved grasslands – some of our most precious habitats for wildlife – are to be excluded from SFI22. This helped to trigger some interesting discussion and questions across a wide range of topics including:

·       The levels of funding that will be allocated to different categories of public good, for example the balance between Beauty, Heritage and Engagement" and “Thriving Plants and Wildlife "

·       The roles and responsibilities for putting together a  baseline plan for a commons? Will there be restrictions on this?

·       More detail on how Management actions will be linked to payments

·       The funding available for Commons outside National Parks and AONBs – will the only route be SFI?

·       The challenge of quantifying environmental change from interventions

The webinar wrapped up with an invitation for anyone who may be interested in reviewing the tools that we’re developing as part of the Test and Trial to get in touch. Our project can cover the costs of your time. If you’re interested please contact joanna@foundationforcommonland.org.uk