A “public goods for public money” approach is needed for reform of the Common Agricultural Policy, says The Heritage Alliance
Europe must protect the historic and natural character of the rural landscapes so loved by the public in its forthcoming reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) if it is to prevent ‘clone-countryside’, says The Heritage Alliance’s Rural Advocacy Group (RAG).[1]
The RAG’s comments address the publication by the European Commission yesterday (18 November) of its paper The CAP Towards 2020, which sets out three options for reform.[2] Whilst the RAG welcomes the European Commission’s recognition that the priorities of the CAP need to be re-considered, it is concerned that so far none of the three options promotes adequately the importance of the public goods delivered through the landscape – natural and historic – in the future Common Agricultural Policy.
As the largest source of public money for the historic environment after the Heritage Lottery Fund[3] the CAP plays a key role in determining the character of our countryside; and its reform after 2014 will have a huge impact on how our rural landscape will look in the future. The survival of unique historic landscape features such as archaeological remains, traditional farm buildings, dry stone walls and field patterns rely heavily on match-funding support from Europe for the Environmental Stewardship programme delivered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)[4]. And the importance of these historic environment features in our landscapes is not just about aesthetics, quality of life and recreation – research carried out by the Countryside and Community Research Unit at the University of Gloucestershire on behalf of DEFRA shows that investment in the historic rural environment delivers significant social and economic benefits[5].
The RAG believes the European Commission should re-focus its reforms so that more funding from the CAP is directed toward landscape and heritage protection.
“We would urge the European Commission to ensure it takes a public goods for public money approach to reform of the CAP”, said Co-Chair of the RAG John Sell CBE. “Europe’s landscape does not look after itself, its character has been formed by the interaction of man and nature over many generations and the historic elements within it contribute significantly to its diversity. One it’s gone, it’s gone forever – we must use the CAP to maintain and enhance this wonderful asset for today and for posterity.”
Co-chair of the RAG Jonathan Thompson added: “The historic environment is rightly one of the five primary objectives of England’s agri-environment schemes, which we are assured are highly regarded in Europe; so it is concerning that none of the options seem to be increasing the use of these schemes. It’s imperative that the CAP supports them if we are to enable those who manage our landscapes to continue to safeguard our rural, natural and cultural assets.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. For more information contact Emma Robinson on 0207 2330 500 or Kate Pugh on
07811 819 677.
2. The Heritage Alliance is the largest coalition of heritage interests in
England. Established in 2002 by key voluntary sector bodies, it brings
together over 85 non-Government organisations concerned with our
heritage. Between them, our members represent nearly 5 million people
across Britain. Find out more at www.theheritagealliance.org.uk
3. The Heritage Alliance’s Rural Advocacy Group (RAG) reviews and influences policies that impact upon the management of the rural historic environment. The RAG champions a holistic approach to rural policy whereby stewardship of the landscape as a whole – natural and historic elements together, as in the European Landscape Convention – is recognised and promoted.
[1] The Alliance’s Rural Advocacy Group (RAG) reviews and influences policies that impact upon the management of the rural historic environment. The RAG champions a holistic approach to rural policy whereby stewardship of the landscape as a whole – natural and historic elements together – is recognised and promoted.
[2] Option one proposes largely to retain the status quo; Option two would involve substantial re-design of the direct payments system; and Option three would mean farm payments would become focused mainly on supporting environmental outcomes. Click here for full details of the three options.
3] The CAP and the Historic Environment, published by the RAG and Europa Nostra August 2010.
[4] Environmental Stewardship (ES) is an agri-environment scheme that offers
payments to farmers and land managers in England for effective land
management to protect and enhance the rural environment (including the
historic elements of the rural environment) and wildlife. To “protect the
historic environment” and to “maintain and enhance landscape quality and
character” are two of the scheme’s primary objectives.