You are in > Home > News & Events > News > Getting to Grips with Rural Development – SAC Meeting in Fyvie Explains How to Manage Agri Environment Schemes.

Getting to Grips with Rural Development – SAC Meeting in Fyvie Explains How to Manage Agri Environment Schemes.

SAC News Release Ref. No: 11N18
Published: 11 Feb 2011

With farmers becoming increasingly involved in schemes to manage the environment or improve habitats SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) is holding a meeting in Fyvie on Tuesday 22nd February to discuss issues surrounding various agri environment schemes. Such schemes are a key part of the Common Agricultural Policy and a number of Aberdeenshire farmers already have programmes under way or about to start in line with the Scotland’s version of the Rural Development Programme (SRDP).

It is clear that the forthcoming reforms of the CAP, to be negotiated this year, will place great emphasis on the so called “Public Goods” that farmers provide, over and above food production. There is a strong likelihood that there will be even more need to understand the details of habitat creation or meeting other environmental objectives.

During a morning spent in the Royal British Legion in Fyvie, followed by an afternoon farm walk at St Johns Wells, SAC has gathered a group of its own experts and those from other agencies to provide help and guidance. The meeting will focus on implementing the SRDP schemes and successfully managing them over the life of the plan.
 
Among the morning speakers Thainstone based Principal Agricultural Officer Jennifer Kinnaird. She works for the Scottish Government Rural Payments Directorate and will explain how inspections are carried to ensure farmers are complying with the schemes they have received payments for. Paul Chapman, SAC Conservation Consultant, with a speaker from SNH will discuss the species of plants and animals involved in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and how to manage habitats to protect and encourage them. Finally SAC Woodlands Consultant, Jim Reilly will explain how to establish and manage farm woodlands to benefit various species as well as shelter livestock.
 
After lunch the farm walk at St Johns Wells, courtesy of HP Sleigh & Sons, will give an opportunity to see the various habitats which have been established through the Rural Stewardship Scheme and, more recently, the SRDP. This visit will give a real opportunity to see how environmental schemes can be implemented on a busy, productive farm. RSPB Farmland Birds Officer, Hywell Maggs has been monitoring bird populations at St Johns Wells over the years. He will report on how the various environmental features and habitats have influenced bird populations in the area. 

The meeting is one of a series that are part funded by the Scottish Government as part of its Biodiversity/Conservation advisory activity. The SAC organisers would value an early warning of those wanting to attend so they can organise appropriate catering. Contact SAC’s Turriff Office 01888 563333.

Event details

Agri Environment Management Meeting & Farm Walk.
Tuesday 22nd February 2011, 10.30am.
British Legion Fyvie, followed by St John’s Wells farm walk.

Comments

blog comments powered by Disqus

News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

Add to Address Book | Help