Farming and Food

Agriculture occupies nearly 80% of the land area in the East Midlands. Arable, especially cereal, is the largest output, though vegetables and salads, outdoor flower bulb and livestock farming are also significant regional industries. However, farming should be about more than simply growing crops. It should be about:

providing healthy, high quality food at a fair price
securing a beautiful, diverse and accessible countryside
contributing to vibrant rural communities

Follow the links on the left to find out more about sustainable local food and more about CPRE's farming campaigns.

CPRE 2008

Open Farm Sunday 2011
Search for participating farms in your area!

NEWS for upland farmers

CPRE welcomes the Government's announcement of a new green farming scheme for upland farmers.

Ian Woodhurst, CPRE's Senior Farming Campaigner said:
‘The Government has listened carefully to a wide range of groups, all of whom are passionate about upland landscapes and farming. It is pleasing that hill farmers now have some certainty about how they will be rewarded for managing these beautiful landscapes. Farmers should be given all the advice and support they need to make this new scheme work.'

The new Uplands Entry Level Stewardship scheme will replace the Hill Farm Allowance which provided an important source of funding that many upland farmers have relied on to stay in business. Without this additional support many hill farmers would find it hard to continue the farming practices which have created and maintained the upland landscapes that are cherished by millions of people. Almost three quarters of the uplands are designated as landscapes of national importance.

Ian Woodhurst concluded:
‘This is a good start. But it is only a part of what is needed to ensure our uplands remain both beautiful and productive. CPRE will be seeking a more effective approach from Government to meeting the challenge of providing upland communities with a future which protects the quality of the environment that surrounds them.'

Jack Ellerby, Friends of the Lake District, CPRE's representative in Cumbria, said:
‘The public goods we all desire from our uplands are dependant upon having a vibrant, land-based workforce. The resultant high quality landscapes are the essential ingredient underpinning sustainable rural economies. We have long campaigned to support our upland hill farms across Cumbria and we are pleased the Government has strengthened the Uplands Entry Level Stewardship scheme.'

Andy Tickle, CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire, said:
‘The new scheme is an important step but this is unfinished business. The upland landscapes of the Peak have a vital role to play in recreation, relaxation, wildlife conservation and mitigating climate change; to meet these needs we must reward farmers and land managers properly.'

* Contact Andy Tickle for more information on:
Andy Tickle (Head of Campaigns, CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire)
0114 266 5822 (switchboard)
07810 647104 (mobile)
0114 266 3976 (home)

CPRE 11 May 2010 Back to top

Downloads:
Regional farming volunteer role description
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