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High Nature Value Farming
(HNV) in Wales
Today’s Agenda
11am – 12-45pm – Several presentations to set the scene for this afternoon’s discussion
12.45pm– 1.30pm – Lunch (canteen)
1.30pm – 1.45pm – Tea & Coffee (back here)
1.45pm – 3.00pm – Break out groups & reporting back
European
context
HNV Farming first
identified as a
concept in 1990s.
Since 2006, EU
Member States
have committed to
identify, support &
maintain HNV
farming as a priority
under Axis 2 of the
Rural Development
Programme 2007-
13 – action has
varied across the 4
UK Countries...
*Type 1: Farmland with high
proportion of semi natural
vegetation
*Type 2: Mosaic of low intensity
agriculture with semi natural
landscape features (hedges,
stone walls, woodlands
*Type 3: Farmland supporting
rare species of high proportion
of European or World
populations
HNV farmland covers 26.2%
area share of farmland in UK
Highest area in UK - Highlands
& Islands of Scotland(78.6%)
UK Context Taken from ‘High Nature Value Farming in Europe’
(EFNCP)
*Parrachini et al developed in 2008.
What is HNV farmland/farming in UK?
• HNV farming can mainly be associated with extensive beef & sheep farming in the uplands and marginal areas because of its high reliance on semi-natural vegetation for grazing (Type 1 ie moorland, upland hay meadows, blanket bog unimproved grassland).
• Examples do exist in the lowland where low input systems support a mosaic of semi-natural features (ie mixed farming – hedges, arable plants)
• HNV farming relies upon sympathetic land management practices (often down to motivations of individuals) – eg low stocking rates, mowing of hay meadows, leaving areas of fallow, spring cropping, habitat restoration, etc
Wider benefits for society ....
• Ecosystem Services - Water quality, protection of soils & carbon storage
• Cultural heritage (rural skills/practices)
• Visual Landscape (retention of stone walls, etc)
• Access/tourism
• Maintains rural communities & supports rural economy
Fundatia
ADEPT…
protecting
Transylvania’s
unique farmed
landscapes,
their
biodiversity,
and the farming
communities
who live within
them.
www.fundatia-adept.org
ISSUES
• Restricted by climate, soils, temperature
• Remoteness from market/ transport routes
• Fragile & vulnerable habitats & species intrinsically linked to traditional systems (fragmentation)
• Often small farms (Economic viability for families/young farmers – losing generational knowledge
• Market forces & social pressures (quality versus quantity)
THREATS
• Often outside designated areas
• Intensification
• Abandonment
• Knock on effects of either above = loss of biodiversity
• Poverty – loss of people from the land (culture)
• Loss of cattle (particularly traditional breeds) – losing money at market, increase in continentals
• Renewable energy & afforestation
HNV in WALES
A recent study undertaken by Cumulus Consultants,
commissioned by RSPB, looks at changes in livestock
numbers in LFA across the UK & the implications – In
Wales Cambrian Mountains & Snowdonia NP were
studied. Similar issues arose across both areas:
(http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/Final_Report_tcm9-
340975.pdf)
•Intensification of inbye land & pressure on
marginal ffridd (in Snowdonia)
•Less mixed stocking – focus on sheep
•Move towards continental/easycare
breeds
•Less out wintered stock - Move to earlier
silage rather than traditional late hay cut
•Less hefting/ virtually no shepherding on
the hills(some areas overgrazed/
undergrazed)
•Fewer active commoners grazing
Aims of HNV Workshop
• Increase our understanding of HNV farming
– learn from those on the ground
– what support they need to keep farming sustainably
• Work with key partners and farmers to raise awareness of the importance of these systems
• Give HNV farmers a platform to develop a strong, local and passionate voice for HNV farming
• Use this ‘voice’ to persuade policymakers that these systems need a better package of support to reflect their exceptional value to society.
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