New publication: Finding the Common Ground
The British Ecological Society Agricultural Ecology Group have produced a new report that sets out the ecological considerations, knowledge gaps and research priorities needed to ensure future agri-environmental policy is sustainable.
Farmers in the UK are facing a period of great change: the Government has just produced its 25 Year Environment Plan, whilst Brexit will impact on food prices, access to the migrant labour and the financial support systems.
To discuss these changes and how they might influence the rural landscape and its associated biodiversity, the British Ecological Society Agricultural Ecology Group organised a workshop with scientists and farming practitioners in December 2017. As a result, the group produced a report which was published today.
The main message emerging from the workshop was that ‘there should be an agro-ecological approach to food production including biodiversity conservation. This should maintain land that is productive, rich in wildlife, culturally rich and accessible for the enjoyment of wider society without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’
Dr Adam Hejnowicz, Postdoctoral Research Associate for CECAN (a YESI project), attended the event and contributed to the report. He explains that 'what's important about this report is that it conveys the views of both scientists and practitioners and sets out the crucial ecological considerations, knowledge gaps and research priorities needed to ensure that future agri-environmental policy is evidence-based and sustainable.’
To read the report and a recent blog by Steve Peel, Independent Ecological Agronomist summarising the report, visit the BES website https://www.britishecologicalsociety.org/finding-common-ground/.