Energy & Environment

How beavers and trees can support our waterways

Matt Holden is the Devon Beaver Project Lead for Devon Wildlife Trust. In this guest blog he introduces the work of Devon Wildlife Trust on beaver reintroduction in Devon.

Updated: Fri Jun 10 2022

I-VMS - Focus on: data collection

We are supporting industry to meet the requirement to have an I-VMS device installed and operational before the introduction of the Statutory Instrument (SI), scheduled for late 2022. I-VMS will help us understand individual and fleet fishing patterns and ultimately ...

Updated: Fri Jun 10 2022

A fresh start for new entrants

It's hard to get started in farming, or any related land-based business. Newcomers to the industry (usually known as "new entrants") face all sorts of barriers. It's challenging for them to find land, secure finance and progress their businesses. When we published the Agricultural Transition Plan towards the end of 2020, we said that we would establish a support scheme for new entrants, and make the whole process easier. This blog post is an update on what we've learned so far by working collaboratively with people across the sector and the next steps.

Updated: Wed Jun 01 2022

Meeting with users of Studland Bay

Before Easter our Marine Conservation, South and Marine Planning teams met with recreational boat users in Studland Bay and held drop-in sessions and talks about the voluntary no anchor zone in the area. These talks were in aid of raising ...

Updated: Wed Jun 01 2022

Farming Investment Fund: a new grant

Before we launched Improving Farm Productivity in January, we made the manual available for people to look at on GOV.UK. Feedback suggested you found this helpful. So, ahead of its launch in June, we are making the manual for the next theme available today: Adding Value. In June, you can apply for a grant for buildings, machinery or equipment so that producers can add value to eligible agricultural products after they are harvested or reared.

Updated: Mon May 30 2022

6 months on: How the pilot is shaping the Sustainable Farming Incentive

In November, we started to offer agreements to farmers taking part in the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot.  In this post, we'll share an overview of the things we've learned over the past 6 months and how we're incorporating them into the design of the full scheme.

Updated: Fri May 27 2022

How we designed the Sustainable Farming Incentive Standards

As a farmer, I am only too aware of the financial pressures which force farmers to make short-term decisions to address an immediate need. This isn't always ideal for the environment and the sustainability of farming in the longer term. The marketplace is very good at driving the efficient production of high-quality grain, meat, milk and vegetables for today and tomorrow, but less so at rewarding high water quality, great soil or increasing the numbers of birds and insects over time. In this post, I'll explain how the Sustainable Farming Incentive will start to redress the balance and how it will reward farmers for delivering environmental benefits as well as efficient food production.

Updated: Fri May 27 2022

Right tree, right place, to support water and wildlife

Michael Rogers is Head of Conservation at Eden Rivers Trust. In this guest blog, Michael looks at how trees can benefit our watercourses, and shares experiences from the Croglin Valley in Cumbria to show the importance of planting the right tree in the right place.

Updated: Thu May 26 2022

Video Diary: Farmer Jess Brooks on the Sustainable Farming Incentive pilot

The Brooks Family joined the pilot to help us improve the Sustainable Farming Incentive. For over a century, the family has worked on South Thorness Farm, which is found on the north-west coast of the Isle of Wight, within the Hamstead Heritage Coast Area Of Natural Beauty. Listen to how sisters Jess and Sarah, along with their parents Adrian and Joyce, run through the management of their farm and their decision to join the pilot.

Updated: Mon May 23 2022

Update on Environment Agency Investigation

On 18 November 2021, the Environment Agency and Ofwat announced major investigations into potential widespread non-compliance by water and sewerage companies at sewage treatment works. This update sets out what we're investigating and what has happened since we announced the investigation.

Updated: Thu May 12 2022

Bringing BPS payments forward

We're bringing BPS payments forward. Farmers with eligible applications will receive half of their payment from the end of July, and the rest from December.

Updated: Tue May 10 2022

Studland Bay - Latest Patrols

With four-mile sandy beaches, idyllic coastline, and breath-taking views of Old Harry Rocks, Studland Bay is a unique and popular place to visit for local residents and visitors from across the UK. The tranquil natural settings and well sheltered anchorage ...

Updated: Tue May 10 2022

I-VMS Update - May 2022

We are pleased to announce that a quarter of I-VMS devices have been ordered by fishers from across the English inshore fleet. We would like to thank everyone who has already chosen, purchased and arranged installation of your preferred type-approved ...

Updated: Fri May 06 2022

The developing UK seaweed industry

A history of production and a renewed interest In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in seaweed. This has been driven by the many uses of seaweed, its high nutritional value, and its ability of providing ecosystem ...

Updated: Thu May 05 2022

Enhancements to Marine Case Management System

On 5 May 2022 changes will be made to the marine licensing application process as part of the Marine Management Organisation's (MMO) continuous improvement programme. What will change for customers? Customers submitting a new application will be provided with a ...

Updated: Wed May 04 2022