Multiple Benefits of Agriculture

1. Multiple Benefits of Agriculture Andrew Clark Head of Policy Services National Farmers Union

2. “The landscape of England and Wales is a striking example of the interdependence between the satisfaction of man’s material wants and the creation of beauty…the beauty of the countryside is the direct result of the cultivation of the soil and there is no antagonism between use and beauty”. 1942 Scott Committee on Land Utilisation

3. The multiple roles of farming in the 21st Century • Food producers • Environmental stewards • Climate managers • Cultural guardians • Producers of renewable fuels and fibres • Flood managers and water gathers • Changing and complex emphasis on these roles

5. UK Agri-Environment schemes

7. Farming’s Climate Change footprint

8. Farming and Climate Change

9. The challenge of value… • Doubt about farming’s role • ‘Benefit’ is often a non-excludable public good • Perspective driven value judgements • Income foregone and costs of management • Monopsonistic market for environmental goods

10. Summary • Expectations are changing – priorities shifting • Choice is not between roles but integrating roles • New roles mean new challenges • Challenge of valuation

11. www.whyfarmingmatters.co.uk