Norfolk FWAG

And something a bit light hearted seeing as it is Halloween!

Following Rachel Reeves' first budget yesterday, here are some of the key points for agriculture and environmental land management:   Basic Payment Scheme - Farmers will see the basic payment scheme phase out quicker, with recipients now seeing 76% of their base amount removed in 2025. Previously, farmers were to expect a 50% cut.   Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) - £2.4bn protected to ensure continuation of nature recovery, sustainable farming, and environmental restoration. A small decrease in real terms when accounting for inflation.    Inheritance Tax – From April 2026, Business property relief and agricultural property relief will be subject to a £1m combined cap of 100% relief, with 50% relief for values in excess of £1m. Whilst this was intended to help protect small farms, even the smallest of farming business are now likely to be subject to inheritance tax.   The government will legislate to extend the scope of Agricultural Property Relief from Inheritance Tax to environmental land management from 6 April 2025.   If you have any queries about the Environmental Land Management (ELM) scheme or other funding opportunities for farmers, then Norfolk FWAG's team of experts are here to help. Visit Norfolkfwag.co.uk to learn more.

Invitation to Norfolk FWAG Annual Meeting Easton College, Thurs 14th Nov, 6pm to 8pm Join us for our Annual General Meeting as we come together with our members to share the developments from the past year, and the plans for the next. Hear from some fantastic speakers, including: - Evan Burdett of Norfolk FWAG - England's First SW18 Agreement - Clarke Willis MBE of Norfolk FWAG - Overview of Environmental Skills Gap - Charlotte Palmer of West Norfolk Nature Network - Landscape Recovery Progress Also, hear from the judging panel as we award the winner of the prestigious Ian MacNicol Conservation competition. Event kindly sponsored by Birketts LLP (cc: Sophia Key) Register: https://lnkd.in/eZ3946vg

Yesterday Norfolk FWAG and the Broads Authority ran a workshop for land management advisers in Norfolk and Suffolk, through our FibreBroads project to raise awareness of the challenges involved in raising water levels for carbon mitigation, specifically in the Broads. Advisers from a wide range of organisations were in the room, and benefitted from presentations about Watertable Modelling by Ian Holman from Cranfield University; Water Vole Mitigation by Helen Booth from MHE Consulting; water permissions by Stephanie Knowles from Stantec; and an update from a Norfolk case study by our very own Evan Burdett. Our local case study involves the implementation of the only SW18 Raising Water levels option from Mid Tier Countryside Stewardship in England, and our work with this option is of significant importance to DEFRA and the development of policy towards peat water table raising for carbon mitigation.

With fantastic support from WWF's Wholescape programme, we recently worked with ANGLIA RURAL CONSULTANTS LTD (ARC) to deliver a skills gap analysis for the environmental land, coast, and marine sectors. The skills gap analysis was initiated in response to the growing recognition of the critical need for environmental skills to meet national and international climate and nature targets, particularly in light of the UK Government’s 25-Year Environment Plan. The ARC team have put together a brilliant article summarising the report. If you're interested in contributing to future developments following this report, please get in touch. https://lnkd.in/e6RiVXK5

Over the last month I have been busy at Norfolk FWAG overseeing the restoration of farmland ponds through the Natural England District Level Licensing Scheme for great crested newt. There are around 23,000 remaining ponds in Norfolk, the most of any English county. They once played an important role in traditional agricultural systems and were routinely managed. Sadly, many ponds were filled in during the period of post-war agricultural intensification or were left to become overgrown, loosing many of the aquatic plants and animals that inhabited them in the process. By letting sunlight back into the ponds, removing the accumulated organic material, and allowing them to fill with clean water we are able to reset the successional clock and bring them back to their former glory. Astonishingly, the seeds of many aquatic plants can persist in the historic pond sediment for centuries, waiting for the right conditions to germinate. I look forward to revisiting these ponds in years to come to see which species return. The first photograph is of two ponds restored in February this year compared to what they looked like just 4 months later. The second photo is of two ponds completed in September this year.

That's a wrap! What an amazing day packed with engaging speakers, in depth conversation and a great opportunities. We hope you’ve had a great time! We would like to thank our partners and sponsors for your support, ensuring our first Norfolk Landscape Conference and Exhibition was a success. Norfolk County Council WWF Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association Albanwise Environment Farmers Weekly Norfolk Wildlife Trust Norfolk Rivers Trust Forestry Commission Birketts LLP THE MORLEY AGRICULTURAL FOUNDATION Broads Authority Holkham Harper Adams University SENTRY FARMS LIMITED

We’ve had an incredible morning covering soil health, agroforestry, carbon impact, woodlands and more. Join us this afternoon as we dive deeper into how farming and nature can work hand in hand. What stood out to you from this morning’s sessions? #NorfolkLandscapes #farming #countryside #agriculture

Today’s the day! Will you be joining us for our inaugural Norfolk Landscapes Conference & Exhibition? Seminars begin at 9.30am with industry professionals from NFU (National Farmers' Union), Norfolk Rivers Trust and our very own Norfolk FWAG. #NorfolkLanscapes24 #farming

THIS WEDNESDAY! Only two days until the inaugural #NorfolkLandscapes Conference & Exhibition! - Fantastic support for the sector as we have now registered over 500 delegates for the day. Last chance for tickets! - https://lnkd.in/eiVci6E4