About 81 per cent of land in the North West is considered to be rural. Many of our most valued landscape features exist because of traditional farming practices, but we must be careful to protect our environment from poor farming practices as well.
Agricultural land use dominates in the North West. There are many organisations involved with agricultural and rural affairs. We enforce some of the
regulations which apply to farms, and are involved in many projects to
prevent pollution and
improve the environment in and around farms. Our
national agriculture pages give details.
Agricultural land use
A small amount of the region’s agricultural land is classified as excellent and very good. Most of this is found in south west Lancashire and Merseyside. A large amount of our agricultural land, mainly in upland areas, is difficult to farm. Many of these areas are designated as Less Favoured Areas (LFA) because of disadvantages like poor soil, exposed topography, short growing season, and isolation from markets.
Annual surveys published by Defra (Excel 668KB) show that agricultural land use in the North West is changing. The number of farm holdings — currently just over 10,000 — is slowly increasing, up 1.4 per cent in 2008 compared with 2007. Most are under 50 hectares in size.
Arable farming is expanding, up 3 per cent in 2008. In contrast, the numbers of dairy farms and dairy cattle have continued to fall, down 5 per cent in 2008. However, the remaining dairy farms are carrying larger herds and becoming more intensive, putting more pressure on the environment.
Environmental impacts from agriculture
Assessment of our water quality monitoring data shows that a large number of water bodies in the North West are at risk of failing, or are actually failing, Water Framework Directive standards. Often, this is because of diffuse pollution from agriculture.
High levels of nitrates are found in water bodies in the more rural areas of North Cumbria, Cheshire and West Lancashire. Most of these areas are now designated as Nitrate Vulnerable Zones (NVZ). High levels of phosphates are present in many water bodies, especially in Lancashire and Cheshire. Nitrates and phosphates are present in fertilisers applied to land, and in farm wastes like manure. Herbicides and pesticides, including chemicals used for dipping sheep, also present a risk to specific water bodies.
Reducing agricultural diffuse pollution
We support the provision of information for farmers and land managers, and various specific schemes and projects aimed at reducing diffuse pollution from agricultural sources.
Code of Good Agricultural Practice
The Code of Good Agricultural Practice offers practical interpretation of legislation. It provides advice on best practice for farmers, growers and land managers to protect water, soil and air. It has been written by technical specialists from Defra and Natural England, and can be found on the Defra website.
Rural Development Programme for England
The Rural Development Programme for England will deliver nutrient and wider resource management advice, and will fund
grants to farmers up to 2013. The funds form part of the Common Agricultural Policy budget, and are administered locally by the
Northwest Regional Development Agency through the
Northwest Livestock Programme.
Environmental Stewardship
Environmental Stewardship is a Natural England agri-environment scheme, providing funding to farmers and other land managers in England to help them deliver effective environmental management on their land.
Catchment Sensitive Farming
Under Defra's Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) programme, farmers have soil and nutrient management plans. These identify opportunities to reduce inorganic fertiliser inputs and target the use of manure more effectively. Our monitoring shows that these measures can significantly reduce the amounts of nutrients and sediment entering watercourses. The priority CSF catchments in the North West are Bassenthwaite Lake, the Eden, the Ribble, the Wyre, Kent / Levens, Waver / Wampool, and selected Cheshire Meres and Mosses catchments.
