Today, the Government have announced one-year extensions for thousands of farmers whose Countryside Stewardship Mid Tier agreements were set to expire in England.  

While this will provide support for over 5,000 farmers who are delivering for nature and sustainable food production, certainty and long-term commitment from the Government to a joined-up transition for all of England’s agri-environment schemes is much needed. 

Our response to this announcement is below: 

Vicki Hird, strategic lead for agriculture at The Wildlife Trusts, says:

“Extending Countryside Stewardship agreements is a step forward in ensuring that farmers taking action for nature are not left with a funding cliff edge this winter. However, this extension will only buy time, not the certainty that farmers desperately need in order to continue to provide sustainable food that helps to restore nature at the same time.  

“Farmers work years in advance to grow the food we eat and provide wildlife measures, restoring habitats for threatened invertebrates like solitary bees and farmland birds such as the skylark and lapwing. Only long-term commitment from the Government to support farmers, through a joined-up transition for all of England’s agri-environment schemes, will safeguard the future resilience of our food system, farmers’ livelihoods and nature’s recovery.”