News

Landowner/Farmers in the river Clun catchment are invited to take part in a pilot project that will determine whether green finance can support food production.

Green private finance is income from ecosystem services such as those related to carbon emissions, nutrient run-off, flood risk and biodiversity improvements, is being held up as one of the ingredients to provide farm businesses with a sustainable future, alongside food production traditionally supported through grants and agri-environment schemes.

How realistic and abundant are these private finance opportunities and just how do farmers take advantage of them?

25 farm businesses in the Clun catchment are being offered the chance to have a confidential, totally paid for, audit of land they own and farm, to determine what services they could sell, how these may fit with their business model and future aspirations.

Applications to be part of this pilot project close at the end of July.

 This test and trial style project, part of one of only five nationally, is managed by Shropshire Wildlife Trust with funding from Natural England and is linked to their development of Protected Sites Strategies. This relatively new legislation aims to smooth the path towards flourishing farm businesses which are less impactful on the wildlife of Protected Sites such as the river Clun Special Area of Conservation (SAC).

Renée Wallace, Landscape Advisor with Shropshire Wildlife Trust, says: ‘Farmers know where and how to sell their more traditional produce, but these new markets are still a bit of a mystery to many. This type of income generation may not be for everyone, but at least farmers can decide for themselves if it fits within their business over all’.

To find out more or enquire about joining the Facilitation Investment in Natural Clun Habitats project, email Renee Wallace at reneew@wildermarches.org.uk or phone 07983 539916.