Thank you for contacting me about the Nature Friendly Farming Network and the event held in Parliament on 15 June 2022. I was unfortunately unable to attend this event due to pre-existing commitments.
I am aware that the Government is taking a number of steps to protect nature. The Environment Act 2021 requires a new, historic legally binding target to be set to halt the decline of species abundance by 2030, which I know is a core part of the Government’s commitment to leave the environment in a better state than we found it. The Act also introduces a powerful package of new policies and tools. Biodiversity net gain, Local Nature Recovery Strategies and a strengthened biodiversity duty on public authorities will work together to drive action, to create or restore rich habitats that enable wildlife to recover and thrive, while conservation covenants will help secure habitat for the long term.
Further, I know that a Soil Health Action Plan for England (SHAPE) is currently being developed and is expected to be published in 2023. In addition, the Sustainable Farming Incentive will help farmers move towards sustainable farming practices over time, supporting farmers to build the health and fertility of their soil and to reduce soil erosion which are essential for sustainable food production, helping to bolster food security and the longer term resilience of the sector.
As the MP for a rural constituency, I am working to make sure the Government's reforms are fully thought through, and that they work for our excellent local farmers, our environment and for national food security. I will continue to scrutinise the new measures very closely. Environmental Land Management Schemes in particular need reworking to ensure they properly compensate our farmers. We have yet to see any impact assessments being published of the effects of the design of these new schemes on food production and farming in Devon, or elsewhere. Nor have measurable standards yet been published by which the environmental benefits and farming outcomes can be assessed. Local farmers simply cannot see how these schemes will enable the economic survival of their farms. This really needs to change. Frankly, Defra needs to get its act together.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.