| Forestry
Farmer trust central to the success of Northern Forest proposal
The National Sheep Association ( NSA ) is warning that calls for rural stakeholders to help lead work on the Northern Forest proposal could be dampened , amid the awaited decision on proposals to release lynx into Northern England .
P lans to create a new Northern Forest have been kick-started by the Government , as part of its 25 Year Environment Plan . It is providing £ 5.7 million to support the project , which will see trees planted in a belt spanning north and south of the M62 corridor .
NSA is interested in the concept of the project , being developed in partnership with the Woodland Trust and Community Forests . But feels its calls on farmers , land owners and other key stakeholders to identify and target areas most suitable for , and likely to benefit most from , tree plantations could be met with reservations if plans to release lynx into Kielder Forest , Northumberland were to be approved .
Phil Stocker , NSA Chief Executive , says : “ NSA is very interested in the concept of a joined up , large scale approach to indigenous and integrated woodland plantations which could collectively be identified as a ‘ forest habitat ’. We know of many farmers who , under normal circumstances , may engage with planting more trees and integrating them within their farming system .
“ A woodland planting on this scale could create a great habitat for passive , non-invasive wildlife such as pollinating bees and other insects , small mammals and birds which all play their part in a healthy ecosystem and live in harmony with sheep farming . At the same time , we also recognise the ecological value of large scale open grassland areas which is why we need integration to provide a balance of agricultural productivity alongside habitat provision for highly valued , open land species .
“ I would be highly concerned that with an impending decision on the proposed lynx release still hanging over us , a plantation of this scale could be perceived as a habitat for this highly dangerous , opportunistic hunter to expand into and this could not provide greater disincentive for farmers to engage with the idea .
“ I couldn ’ t encourage any sheep farmer to get behind something of this type and scale without assurance that their involvement wouldn ’ t come back to bite them in the form of a decision to release a high-level predator such as lynx .”
NSA is fully opposed to Lynx UK Trust ’ s proposals and procedures and has been vocal on the issue for a number of years . It has serious concerns over the wider implications lynx would have on the countryside in the UK , given the high reliance of wild species on farming and grazing practices and the level of investment which has gone into agrienvironment schemes to enhance this .
Phil continues : “ The development and uptake of agri-environment schemes over the last 25 years has seen the sheep industry and agriculture as a whole make huge strides forward in engaging with natural resource management .
“ A woodland planting on this scale could create a great habitat for passive , non invasive wildlife such as pollinating bees and other insects , small mammals and birds which all play their part in a healthy ecosystem and live in harmony with sheep farming ”
“ NSA could be enthusiastic about the prospect of the new Northern Forest , but the necessity to work alongside pastoral sheep farming interests is essential . It would be a shame for a conflict of interest , in the form of lynx , to put a spanner in the works ahead of plans to get this off the ground .”
Grants available for woodland planting and restoration around HS2
Landowners with land or woodland within 25 miles of HS2 can access grant funding to establish new woodland plantations or manage existing plantations and ancient woodlands .
T he funding has been made available by HS2 and is being administered by the Forestry Commission to assist the creation of a green corridor of connected wildlife . This includes around seven million new trees and shrubs on phase one of the railway , from London to the West Midlands .
In addition to this main tree planting programme , a separate £ 5 million fund has been established to support the restoration of existing ancient woodland sites and the creation of new woodlands . The first £ 1 million of funding is being managed by the Forestry Commission on behalf of HS2 Ltd .
Funding is available for a range of capital items , paying 100 per cent of the associated standard cost , with a maintenance payment also available for woodland creation . £ 1 million of funding opened for applications in January 2018 and will close in April 2020 , subject to remaining budget availability . There are no application windows .
The total payment per hectare for capital items is capped at £ 8,500 ( gross ) for native woodland creation and £ 4,000 ( net ) for ancient woodland restoration . In addition , for woodland creation , a 10-year maintenance payment is available , subject to eligibility , at £ 200 per hectare per annum . Land owned by state or local authorities is not eligible for maintenance payments .
Land planted as woodland under the HS2 Woodland Fund can also retain BPS payments subject to meeting eligibility requirements .
Capital items available include : tree planting , shelters , fencing , sheep netting rabbit netting , field gate , badger gate , stone wall netting , leak woody dams ; invasive species control , squirrel management .
For further details contact Robert Bloomfield at the Kettering office of Berrys on 01536 532393 email Robert . bloomfield @ berrys . uk . com or visit : https :// www . forestry . gov . uk / forestry / beehaqgjm5
36 | Farming Monthly | March 2018 www . farmingmonthly . co . uk