Why Farming Matters in the Fens Keep the Fens Farming
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www.whyfarmingmatters.co.uk Why farming matters in the Fens Keep the Fens farming Lincoln A personal view by Skegness Professor David Bellamy The Fens are one of my favourite ‘head just above water’ landscapes. I have known them Boston since I was evacuated to Wisbech in the War and I have loved them ever since. The Fens are Spalding King’s Lynn a place to get away from it all – a place to go to dream about the marsh-men and their Wisbech Swaffham Norwich methods of fishing and wildfowling, all rooted in those rich soils. March Peterborough Downham Market It was the Romans who first recognised the Thetford Fens’ farming potential and Vermuyden, the Ely th 17 century Dutch engineer, who slowly but surely turned the area into some of the richest Bury St Edmunds farmland in the world. The Fens have always fascinated and challenged in equal measure Newmarket and that continues today as farmers look to Cambridge Ipswich sustainable management of an area that is still subsiding thanks to the effect of the last ice age. Farmers working together with, and not The Fens against, Mother Nature are using sustainable techniques like integrated crop management to provide locally produced chips, crisps, The Fens vegetables and salad, cutting down the waste of fuel on food miles. Conservation groups of Grade 1 agricultural land every shape and size are working in partnership with farmers to repair, re-wet and regenerate, recreating mowing fens and grazing marshes. These not only help protect the landscape against tidal surge but also the rich heritage of flowers, insects, fish and birds that educate, enthral and delight locals and visitors alike. Farming has played a central role in the history of this unforgettable landscape. It must perform a central role in its future. COURTESY OF FENS TOURISM Why farming matters in the Fens Farming and the Fens are inextricably linked. It was the prize of farming the Fens’ nutrient rich soils which led to the area being drained hundreds of years ago and turned the Fens into what they are today – a unique landscape, a place of huge horizons and dramatic skies but also a powerhouse of productive agriculture and horticulture. The Fens begin their life in the surrounding with a combined capacity to pump the and underpinning healthy and vibrant uplands where four rivers – the Witham, equivalent of 16,500 Olympic sized communities. Welland, Nene and Ouse – start their swimming pools in 24 hours. journey. These rivers carry water from the The vital role played by farming in the Fens uplands and surrounding areas down Coupled with over 60 miles of coastal sea is underlined by the fact that, since 1995, through the Fens and into the Wash. walls and 96 miles of fluvial embankments the self-sufficiency of the UK has declined the Fens are well protected, despite their steadily. UK farmers now only produce Before the Fens were drained water flowed vulnerability to flooding. However, climate 71% of the food that we eat that can be into the area, creating an inhospitable change poses a serious threat to the Fens. grown in our climate2. wetland. It wasn’t until the 17th century, Predictions of sea level rises of up to 82cm by 20801, together with an increase when drainage of the wetlands first began However, farming in the UK has never in earnest, that the Fens as we know them in the frequency and intensity of storm been more important, a fact highlighted began to take shape. Under the surge events, mean that there must be a recently by poor global harvests that have supervision of Dutch engineer Cornelius continued programme of investment in left many countries facing food shortages. Vermuyden the Fens were systematically flood defences. As a result food security is once again on drained to reveal nutrient rich soil which the political agenda. Set against a steady could be used for farming. In all, 88% of land in the Fens is cultivated decline in self-sufficiency across the and the fertile soils account for about half country, the Fens are a highly productive To maintain water levels in the Fens, and of all grade 1 land, the most productive and precious resource that must be mitigate the risk of flooding, water must be farmland, in England. protected to safeguard food production. pumped into the rivers and out into the Wash. Organisations known today as Farming contributes significantly to the 1 UKCIP02, a report detailing climate Internal Drainage Boards were formed to success of the local economy, supporting maintain the watercourses and pumps. a large number of businesses involved in change scenarios for the UK (2002) 2 Members of each board include elected the production of food and rural tourism. Agriculture in the UK 2006, Department farmers and local councillors who However farming also makes a major for the Environment, Food and Rural represent the interests of people living and contribution to protecting the environment Affairs (DEFRA) working in the Fens. Policy recommendations Initially wind supplied the energy to pump the water out and at one time 700 or more The NFU calls for the following urgent action to secure a successful and wind pumps dominated the Fens’ sustainable future for the Fens: landscape. With the advent of steam power in the 19th century steam powered • Climate change presents a multitude of threats. With the right policy pumps began to take their place. framework, farmers in the Fens can be part of the solution by helping to meet ambitious renewable energy targets in the East Midlands and the East Today the Fens are home to approximately of England. half a million people and cover an area of almost 1,500 square miles encompassing • Flooding poses a serious threat to the Fens. It is crucial that authorities 11 districts, four counties and two take appropriate action to minimise the risk and impact of future events. A government office and development continued programme of investment in flood defence measures is essential agency regions. Well-maintained flood to mitigate the risk of flooding due to the effects of climate change. defences remain essential and Internal Drainage Boards maintain 3,800 miles of • Farming in the Fens is nationally important and makes a significant watercourses and 286 pumping stations. contribution to the regional economy. It is essential that all stakeholders continue to support the sustainable growth of the farming and food The steam pumps of the past have been industries to guarantee the future prosperity of the Fens. replaced by either diesel or electric pumps 1 Why farming in the Fens matters to the economy Farms in the Fens exemplify modern and sustainable farming, combining exceptional production with outstanding environmental stewardship. Employing 27,000 people3 and supporting a large and diverse range of businesses, farms in the Fens contribute significantly to the success of the economy. Harvest at Martins Farm, Postland near Crowland There are an estimated 4,000 farms in the Fens covering all sectors of agriculture Crops grown in the Fens and horticulture. This includes arable, livestock, poultry and dairy farming as well Crop Acres grown in the Fens Percentage of total as a large number of farms growing English acreage vegetables and ornamental plants. Farms Vegetables grown 72,000 37% in the Fens permanently employ 14,000 in the open people, or 6% of the working population. Potatoes 62,000 24% Horticultural production is particularly Sugar beet 53,000 17% labour intensive and a further 13,000 Bulbs and flowers people are employed temporarily 5,500 38% throughout the year in the Fens to sow, grown in the open* harvest and process crops. Source: June agricultural census 2006, DEFRA. *2004 Overall 89% of farmland in the Fens is either grade 1 or 2 agricultural land. Due to the predominance of high quality land, farms in the Fens are exceptionally Case study: Shropshire’s, Ely productive and are famous for producing large quantities of vegetables, wheat, potatoes and sugar beet as well as ornamental plants such as daffodils. Richard Turner, Celery Manager “Rising world demand, The Shropshire family originally farmed consumer and market research. It serves 300 acres near Ely but over the last 50 all sectors of the food industry from climate change and years Shropshire’s has grown to be one supermarkets to independent retailers, energy security have of the largest fresh produce companies in restaurants and food manufacturers all Europe, employing more than 1,700 over Europe. Protecting the environment combined to make people at the height of the season. is a priority for Shropshire’s. It has agriculture a integrated the conservation of a wide Shropshire’s success is due to its variety of species including skylarks and innovative approach to production and strategically important pipistrelle bats into the management of its marketing. In 1984 Guy Shropshire industry once again, farms. Where possible, Shropshire’s also founded G’s Growers, a cooperative of utilises sub-irrigation and planting a sector that offers farmers which became more efficient by systems, which increase energy efficiency sharing expertise and resources. Today society solutions, not and reduce the use of water, fertilisers Shropshire’s grows a wide variety of and pesticides needed to grow crops. problems.” vegetables, both conventionally and Peter Kendall, NFU President organically, and is one of Europe’s leading salad producers. Shropshire’s has won many awards including the Cambridgeshire Biodiversity Vegetables and salads produced by Challenge County Award. Shropshire’s are marketed by G’s Marketing Ltd, a subsidiary which For more information visit 3 NFU estimate based on the June conducts and acts upon the latest www.shropshires.com Agricultural Census and other sources 3 The Fens maintain a level of production far The Fens are also famous for producing exceeding their geographical size.