Introducing Catchment Sensitive Farming: Here to Reduce the Red Tape on Farmers

Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) was introduced into the Leam catchment in 2010. The main thrust of the project is centred on delivering practical solutions and targeted support to enable farmers and land managers to take voluntary action to reduce diffuse water pollution from agriculture. This work will also provide  benefits in terms of protection of water bodies and the environment.

The idea around this being an opportunity to take voluntary action is to show the government that farmers and landowners can make their own changes to bring about these improvements without more legislation and restrictions on product use.

CSF has so far been introduced into 74 catchments across England, including The Leam, and is proving to be a successful initiative with well over 9,000 farm holdings receiving useful advice and over £29 million of CSF Capital Grant money being contributed towards improvements in farm infrastructure.  There is still a long way to go if we are to meet the European Water Framework Directive targets of Good Ecological Status in all waterbodies by 2015, but if there is a concerted effort from the farming sector we can be at least rest assured that we have made the necessary improvements required by our sector.  We can then blaze the trail for all the other sectors and show the government that we can take responsibility for farming the land in an environmentally sensitive manner.

Your Local Leam Catchment

CSF in the Leam catchment is based on a partnership between Natural England, Severn Trent Water and the Environment Agency working together to help reduce diffuse pollution from agriculture.

To find out how CSF is helping farmers in The Leam catchment, including more information about the CSF Capital Grant Scheme then contact me, Melissa Hoskings, your local catchment advisor on 07557 338642 or email Melissa@severnriverstrust.com