Feedback on last week's Cereals has been overwhelmingly positive from the 20 plus RSPB staff who attended the two day event. It is one of the best opportunities in the farming calendar for us to get out and meet farmers who we may otherwise not bump into.
On our own advisory stand we asked 'what would encourage you to do more for wildlife on your farm?'. The most popular response was more advice! If you would like more advice on what to do on your farm you can access all our advisory sheets on line, or contact your nearest Farm Advisor.
We also co-sponsored the arable conference event which hosted some interesting discussions on CAP reform, market volatility and new technology. Our own Head of Conservation Policy, Gareth Morgan, engaged in some lively debate (!) with Guy Smith, but they both agreed that farmers must continue to be rewarded for the hard work they put into sustaining wildlife. At a time when it looks as though future funding may be under threat it's essential we continue to highlight the fantastic results that farmers deliver through agri-environment schemes. Our new publication, Seeds of Success, does just that - if you would like a copy, just get in touch.
At the new technology discussion there was general agreement across the panel that although new technologies are important we should not lose sight of the importance of cultural pest controls and nutrient cycles to ensure healthy soils, and reduce impacts on the environment.
Lucy Bjorck, Senior Agricultural Policy Officer