As I mentioned in yesterday's blog, this week we are featuring the views of farmers who are making great efforts for wildlife on their farms on the future shape of farming policy. Today we hear from Scotland, and thoughts from farmer Michael Clarke.
(All views shared in this series are those of the individual farmer and have not been edited by the RSPB)
"My wife and I farm beef, sheep and holiday cottages on 300 acres near the village of Ecclefechan (known locally as ‘Fechan), near Gretna Green in Dumfriesshire. Neither of us was born into a farming family and it has been a long hard road to get a place of our own, which may be one reason why we feel such a sense of privilege and responsibility to be farmers. We know that we are in a unique position to make a positive difference to this country’s wildlife and we are determined to do all we can to do that, with the help of the Scottish Government and visionary bodies like the RSPB, Plantlife, LEAF and The Woodland Trust.
Red squirrel: rspb-images.com
Our vision for Williamwood is of a profitable farm, producing quality livestock in an environment which is attractive to wildlife and visitors. We have a triple bottom line - financial, environmental and social. Sadly, most of our business contacts seem interested only in the financial. While that is understandable because without profit a business is not sustainable, we strive to go the extra mile every day with the environmental and as much as we can manage with the social, so we host visits from community groups as and when we can. We get more out of them than we put in.
More an active environmentalist than an environmental activist, I am passionate about helping wildlife and the environment on this farm. I want to see Williamwood bursting with biodiversity. It wasn’t like that when we bought it and it isn’t yet, but we’re getting there through a combination of planning, sheer hard work and regular support and encouragement from bodies like those mentioned above. I am determined that, as far as possible, all 3 elements in our triple bottom line get equal billing. There is some jostling for position and vigorous debate in the partnership at times but the shared delight at having otters, red squirrels and tree sparrows in abundance here, at the same time as quality livestock and interested visitors, is a powerful driver for resolving any differences.
Tree sparrow: rspb-images.com
We know that similar debates must take place on many other farms and estates across the country and it is an inspiration to us to know or hear about them. But we feel in the minority, despite the rhetoric in the farming press. Speaking personally, I see an industry predominantly pre-occupied with shiny machinery and prize-winning livestock, with the environment trailing along behind as the poor relation. Simplifying the support system to support the environment on the farm, even if it has to be at the expense of production, needs to happen if we are to get a countryside bursting with biodiversity, at the same time as a change of mindset amongst the majority of farmers. Changing the former might be easier and should accelerate the latter, which might prove a harder nut to crack. Both need to change.
Sticking your head above the parapet is not a natural faming trait and the culture of the industry discourages non-conformity. But if there was ever a time to speak up for the environment to get a higher billing, it is now. As a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU, there is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to develop a future domestic policy for agriculture which supports farming and the environment in a more balanced way. We owe it to future generations to grab that opportunity with both hands.”