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Making A Space For Wildlife - SAC Advice On Tackling The Loss Of Set Aside While Maintaining Production (Archived Content)

SAC News Release Ref. No: 09N72
Published: 12 Nov 2009

Following a 75% drop in area of cropping land set aside from production, conservationists are concerned about the effects it is having on farmland wildlife. In response, SAC is organising meetings up and down the east of Scotland highlighting the voluntary measures farmers and land managers can take to help wildlife without compromising productivity.

Since 2008, set-aside has no longer been compulsory and the area of land involved has dropped from 80,000 to 20,000 hectares.  While the EU set-aside regime was introduced to reduce costly grain mountains, the periods when land was left uncultivated also benefited birds, insects and some plants. There have been calls from some quarters for compulsory measures to be reintroduced to recover some of these wildlife benefits.

The purpose of the SAC meetings, which are funded by Scottish Natural Heritage, is to promote a voluntary approach to replacing the habitats and food sources set-aside provided. This need not involve a major redesign of management plans. Relatively minor changes such as not harvesting awkward corners of fields or leaving wet areas unploughed can increase the food supply and habitat available for birds or other creatures.

In addition there are opportunities to fund some measures through the Land Manager’s Options Scheme.  This could prove very important as changes in the way that scheme is to apply will rule out measures such as access and ditch management. This means many arable farmers may find that they will have to find alternative ways to spend their previous allocation. There is also scope in the project for a limited amount of free advice on an individual farm basis where particular complex or novel issues relating to set-aside management can be identified.

Two of the 16 planned meetings have taken place so far.  The rest will be spread from the Borders to Inverness, some with the assistance of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.  The next one is planned for 10.30 am on Tuesday, 17th November 2009 at Aberdeen Arms Hotel, Tarves AB41 7GX
 
For further information or to book a place, please contact SAC Conservation Consultant, Dr Paul Chapman.

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News Release Contacts

SAC Contact

Dr Paul Chapman
Conservation Consultant
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC Consulting, Thainstone Agricultural Centre,
Inverurie
AB51 5WU
TelWork 01467 625385
Fax 01467 620607

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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

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Notes for Editors

Other dates for the Diary. 

Grampian

Gordon Arms, Fochabers (farm walk at Cunninghaugh) – Wednesday, 25th November

Borders,

Cross Inn, Paxton, Berwickshire (farm walk at Clarabad courtesy of Mr Ian Wightman) - Wednesday, 25th November 10.30am

Templehall Inn, Morebattle, Roxburghshire (farm walk at Cowbog courtesy of Mr Robert Wilson) - Wednesday, 2nd December10.30am

Whitslaid Farm, Lauder (Courtesy of Douglas Younger) - Tuesday, 24th November 10.30 a.m.

Highland

Royal Hotel, Cromarty (Farm Walk at Newton Farm) - 27th November 10.30

Stirling TBC

Lothian TBC

Fife

Gilston, Leven KY8 5QP - Friday, 4th December 11.30 a.m. (Meeting delivered by GWCT)

Craws Nest, Anstruther, Fife (Visit to Cornceres Farm courtesy of Andrew Peddie) – 14th January 11.00 a.m.

Tayside

Henderston, Newtyle PH12 8UT – Tuesday, 24th November 11.30 a.m. (Meeting delivered by GWCT)

Methven Arms, Methven by Perth (visit to Newmiln Farm courtesy of Hugh Grierson) – Monday, 7th December 11 a.m.

1 other TBC