CFE County Priorities for , & Northamptonshire

1. Aim

This document has been drawn together by the CFE Local Liaison Group for Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire with input from all LLG members and their respective organisations. The aim is to ensure that all advisers and partners have a clear, concise and consistent message about the aims of CFE in Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire that can be used by farmers and landowners to ensure their actions deliver maximum benefit to the environment. The action undertaken on each farm may differ depending on the farm type and enterprise.

2. County Overview

A variety of key landscape types can be found across the Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire counties (see Appendix 2 maps):

- To the west of Northamptonshire, the Northamptonshire Uplands, predominantly rural with mixed farming, are characterised by rolling hills with long, low ridgelines, and extensive areas of open field systems with ridge and furrow. Several major rivers flow through including the Cherwell, Avon, Welland, Tove, Ouse, Nene and Ise. - In contrast, the Rockingham Forest lies to the north east of Northamptonshire, with heavily deciduous and mixed woodland interspersed with predominantly arable farming and remnants of unimproved grassland. - The Northamptonshire Vales lie to the east of Northamptonshire and are similar in character to the Leicestershire Vales in the south west of Leicestershire. Characterised by gentle clay ridges and distinctive river valleys of the Soar, Welland and Nene. - To the west of Leicestershire the High Leicestershire landscape is dominated with broad rolling ridges and often steep sided valleys. Arable faming predominates amongst this well treed area, but large areas of ridge and furrow also remain. - The Leicestershire & South Nottinghamshire Wolds form a watershed between the rivers Wreake, Soar and Trent. is a significant feature in this rural, open, mixed farmland landscape with long views from the summits of undulating hills. - Further landscape types across the three counties include Charnwood with its unique and distinctive rocky upland character and pockets of heathland; the Leicestershire & South Derbyshire Coalfields, characterised by large areas of secondary woodland on disused sites; the Mease/Sence Lowlands, a predominantly open arable landscape with river floodplains and reduced woodland cover; the Trent Valley Washlands found to the north west of Leicestershire, with broad valleys surrounding the wide rivers of the Trent and Soar and strong urban development; the Keveston Uplands to the north east of Leicestershire with their rolling mixed farmland dissected by river valleys; and the Yardley- Whittlewood Ridge which adjoins the Northamptonshire Vales to the south east of Northamptonshire and in essence is an elevated plateau with a strong historic landscape character due to the continued presence of ancient woodland.

The following observations can be made with regards to the farmland across the three counties (See Appendix I for more information):

 Around a third of farms are over 100 ha in size, and constitute over three quarters of the farmed area of the counties.  Although covering just 3% of the total farmed area, a third of holdings are 20 ha or less in size.  Across all three counties on over 50% of farms the main enterprise is cereal production (followed by grazing and mixed farming).  Dairy farms account for 9% of the farm type in Leicestershire.  Other than some small pockets of Grade 2 and Grade 4 land, the majority of agricultural land across all three counties is classed as Grade 3.

3. County designated sites and partnerships

 Within Leicestershire & Rutland there are 91 SSSIs, in Northamptonshire there are 57.  Five National Nature Reserves can be found across the three counties; Charnwood Lodge, Cribbs Meadow, Muston Meadow, Collyweston Great Wood & Easton Hornstocks, and Buckingham Thick Copse.  The River Mease is a Special Area of Conservation, designated for its spined loach and bullhead freshwater fish populations.  Both the Upper Nene Valley Gravel Pits and Rutland Water are designated as European Special Protection Areas and globally important wetland RAMSAR sites due to their exceptional numbers and diversity of passage and wintering waterfowl.  The Nene Valley Nature Improvement Area covers a swathe of land from the river’s tributaries near Daventry right across the county towards Peterborough, covering 41,000 ha. It includes the River Nene and its tributaries, gravel pits, reservoirs and much of the floodplain within the valley itself. The NIA aims to deliver a step change in nature conservation, where local organisations come together with a shared vision for the natural environment, delivering significant improvements for wildlife and people through the sustainable use of natural resources, restoring and creating wildlife habitats, connecting local sites and joining up local action.

 In addition, and often found on farmland, Local Wildlife Sites encompass areas of semi- natural habitat such as species-rich grassland, ancient woodland, streams, ponds and reedbeds but also disused gravel pits (wetlands), quarries, green lanes and road verges. There are approximately 750 sites in Northamptonshire (covering around 5% of the area) and 1,000 in Leicestershire and Rutland.

4. County Priorities

The following sections aim to define the county priorities by theme.

a) Theme: Priority farmland habitats and description

The following are important habitats which can often be found on farmland across the three counties:

Field margins (& other uncropped areas) – provide nesting areas for birds such as grey partridge, cover for small mammals, feeding ground for barn owls, and if a high proportion of flowers are present, summer feed in the form of pollen and nectar for pollinators and other invertebrates, feeding habitat for chicks, and winter feed through seed provision for farmland birds. They can also act as linkages between other habitats. In addition they help to protect water courses by intercepting run-off and reducing soil erosion. The wider the margin the better.

Ponds, Watercourses and wetlands – those that regularly hold water can provide habitat for amphibians and help to support declining farmland birds eg lapwing and tree sparrow. Many ponds have been lost due to agricultural intensification but often natural succession to woodland habitat too. Faster-flowing streams are known to support the native white-clawed crayfish.

Grassland – calcareous, neutral, dry acid (as well as heath), species-rich meadows and floodplain grazing marsh are evident in small pockets across the counties. Due to their rarity (97% have been lost since 1945), it is essential that they are managed favourably in order to provide valuable habitat for specialist invertebrates, and a variety of mammals and birds too.

Hedgerows – providing foraging, refuge, nesting and feeding throughout the year for small mammals, birds, bats, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. They also act as important wildlife corridors linking other habitats within the landscape. Late winter cutting and variety of management is key with lower compact hedges benefitting species such as yellowhammer and taller thicker hedges favouring turtle dove for example.

Mature trees – whilst many in-field trees have been lost, mature and even ancient trees can often be found within hedgerows which support important invertebrates, mammals, bats and birds. Standing dead trees provide additional habitat that is often under-valued.

Woodland – deciduous and mixed woodland, wet woodland, wood pasture & parkland, as well as traditional orchards are all important habitats across the three counties and although under managed in many cases, can be found on most farm holdings supporting important bat and bird species.

Local Wildlife Sites – contain areas of priority habitat outside of designated areas. Many of the above habitats may meet LWS criteria, eg if they support indicator species. Having been identified over many years, survey information and advice are available.

Any specific action required:

 Promote the retention and enhancement of grass margins and other uncropped areas (CFE Voluntary Measure options VM1, VM2 & VM17 – see Appendix 3 for full list). Also encourage the stacking of benefits for example by providing pollinator habitat (VM6, VM7) or overwinter bird seed (VM10), by buffering of watercourses and hence meeting LERAP requirements, which in turn provide hunting ground for barn owls (VM18) etc. Margins adjacent to hedgerows also provide an opportunity to trim hedges later in the season.  Encourage the buffering of ponds and watercourses using Voluntary Measure option VM2 and link ponds to other habitats within the farmed landscape. Retain woody debris where practical. Other options which will improve water quality include VM3, VM4, VM5, VM17, VM19 and VM20.  For important grassland habitats where possible reduce inorganic fertiliser inputs and encourage late hay cuts with aftermath grazing where practical, in order to increase the diversity of the sward. See VM19. Buffer where possible.  Particularly as ELS agreements end, encourage the late cutting of hedgerows to leave berries into late winter in order to support a variety of birds. Promote the value of hedgerows adjacent to margins for example for being ideal for grey partridge nesting and feeding (see above stacking benefits).  Encourage the protection of mature trees and woodland through buffering (VM1 & VM2) and where possible stacking of benefits also (again, see above). Retain dead wood where practical.  For those habitats classified as Local Wildlife Sites it is important to provide management advice to landowners, promoting the buffering of such sites with voluntary measures, and to encourage liaison with the Wildlife Trusts where applicable. And in general:

 Promote the CFE’s 8 point Farm Wildlife package: 1. Look after established wild flower habitats 2. Maximise the value of your field boundaries 3. Create a network of grass margins 4. Establish flower rich habitats 5. Provide winter food for birds 6. Use spring-cropping or in-field measures to help ground-nesting birds 7. Use winter cover crops to protect water 8. Establish in-field grass areas to reduce soil erosion and run-off (See CFE’s Conservation Management Advice for your Arable Business & Conservation Management Advice for your Livestock Business publications for more information)

 Promote the use of the Voluntary Initiative’s Integrated Pest Management Plan and Tried and Tested Nutrient Planning tools in order to minimise the impact of pesticides and prevent excess use of fertilisers.

b) Theme: Priority species and requirements:

The following are of high priority across significant areas within the three counties (see Appendix 2 maps):

Barn owl – requiring tussocky grassland (eg VM1, VM2, VM17, VM18) as hunting ground and particularly margins adjacent to hedges.

Bats & doormice – particularly in Charnwood & Rockingham Forest landscape areas, a mosaic of grasslands, wetlands and woodlands are required for bats, as well as continuous species-rich hedgerows that are well buffered for both mammals. VM6, VM7 and VM8 habitat provides additional invertebrate feeding habitat for bats.

Brown hare – in particular in the Northamptonshire Uplands and Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire Wolds in open farmland with good availability of herbaceous forage and shelter. See VM1, VM2, VM6, VM10, VM15, VM17.

Farmland birds – particularly significant within the Northamptonshire Uplands and Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire Wolds the key species are tree sparrow, grey partridge, corn bunting, lapwing, yellow wagtail, skylark, yellowhammer, starling and linnet. Their requirements are a winter food source (VM9, VM10, VM15, VM16, VM22), insect rich foraging areas in the summer (VM6, VM7, VM13, VM14, VM18, VM21) and nesting habitat either on the ground or in hedges/trees (VM1, VM11, VM12, VM17, VM18).

Bees/butterflies – they are of particularly high priority in the Charnwood & Rockingham Forests (eg the Black Hairstreak requiring dense stands of black hawthorn, can be found in the latter), and Leicestershire & Nottinghamshire Wolds. They require a variety of spring, summer and autumn flowering plants as a food source, ideally as species-rich meadows but otherwise as wide margins (see VM6, VM7, VM8, VM13, VM14, VM19, VM21, VM22), and nesting and sheltering habitats in hedges, tussocky grass and banks/dry ditches (VM1, VM2, VM17, VM18).

Water voles & otters – requiring un-polluted watercourses (see VM3, VM4, VM5, VM17, VM19, VM20), protection from non-native species (eg mink) and availability of adjacent tall vegetation as well as open grassy banks (use VM1), water vole populations are now very localised.

White clawed crayfish – present in some streams within the and also in the River Eye and the River Mease, they require un-polluted watercourses (see VM3, VM4, VM5, VM17, VM19, VM20), and particularly protection from the North American Signal crayfish.

Great Crested Newt – requiring both aquatic and terrestrial habitat in the form of ponds during the spring/summer that are well linked to over-wintering habitats such as rough grassland, woodland and hedgerows with as few barriers to dispersal as possible. See VM1, VM2, VM17, VM18, VM19.

Any specific action required:

 Promote relevant CFE voluntary measures & the CFE’s 8 point Farm Wildlife package: 1. Look after established wild flower habitats 2. Maximise the value of your field boundaries 3. Create a network of grass margins 4. Establish flower rich habitats 5. Provide winter food for birds 6. Use spring-cropping or in-field measures to help ground-nesting birds 7. Use winter cover crops to protect water 8. Establish in-field grass areas to reduce soil erosion and run-off (See CFE’s Conservation Management Advice for your Arable Business & Conservation Management Advice for your Livestock Business publications for more information)

 Encourage the stacking of benefits eg a wild flower mix which will provide pollinator habitat as well as a food source for farmland bird chicks and where adjacent to watercourses for species such as water vole also.  Provide information on best practice and management of conservation areas; signpost to other organisations where applicable.  Promote the use of the Voluntary Initiative’s Integrated Pest Management Plans and Tried and Tested Nutrient Planning tools in order to minimise the impact of pesticides and prevent excess use of fertilisers.

c) Theme: priority river catchments

All of the three counties fall within a Nitrate Vulnerable Zone.

The following are priority catchments which are currently being managed through the Catchment Sensitive Farming (Environment Agency and Natural England) delivery structure:

River Eye – designated as a SSSI as an exceptional example of a lowland semi-natural river, the main water quality issues are high phosphate levels.

River Mease – a new priority catchment and designated as both a SSSI and a Special Conservation Area. The main water quality issues are high phosphate levels.

River Nene – not only a priority catchment but a Catchment Partnership set up between the Environment Agency, CSF, and the River Nene Regional Park in order to address sediment, phosphorous and pesticide issues in the Upper and Lower Nene priority catchment and the River Ise SSSI, designated for its variety of semi-natural features.

In addition the Welland Valley Partnership, chaired by the Welland Rivers Trust, brings together stakeholders from the catchment of the River Welland in order to help to meet the requirements of the Water Framework Directive. It aids farmers and landowners to help to improve water quality and ecology.

Surface Water Priority Areas and Ground Water Priority Areas can also be found across the three counties (see Appendix 2 for locations). Mapped for ELS targeting they are based on catchment areas upstream of ‘at risk’ Drinking Water Protection Areas. They are the zones where action to reduce contamination of drinking water should be targeted in order to avoid extra treatment by water companies. For surface waters, metaldehyde amongst other pesticide levels are the main issues. For the ground waters, in general high nitrate levels are the concern (see maps in Appendix 2).

Any specific action required:

 Obtain more specific data with regard to metaldehyde problems within all catchments.  Promote CFE voluntary measures that support better water quality, including the following: - VM1 - Grass buffers - VM2 – In-field grass strips - VM3 – Management of maize to avoid erosion - VM4 - Water course fencing - VM5 – Winter cover crops - VM17 – Field corners - VM18 – Beetle banks - VM19 – Fertiliser-free permanent pasture - VM20 – Arable land reverted to grass  Provide advice to reduce diffuse and point source water pollution.  Signpost all farms to the Voluntary Initiative and their Integrated Pest Management Plan.  Promote the use of Tried & Tested Nutrient Management tools.  Work with existing and new projects within catchments to share resources and knowledge.

APPENDIX 1 Farm Data for Leicestershire, Rutland & Northamptonshire based on Defra June 2010 data

Farm size - number of holdings Total No 20<50 50<100 < 5ha 5<20 ha >=100 ha of ha ha holdings Leices & Rutland 157 564 456 392 603 2172

Northants 122 417 298 276 582 1695

Total 279 981 754 668 1185 3867

Farm size - area Total 20<50 50<100 < 5ha 5<20 ha >=100 ha Farmed ha ha Area Leices & Rutland 334 6,263 15,119 28,555 141,025 191,259

Northants 215 4,548 9,956 19,941 147,333 181,993

Total 549 10,811 25,075 48,496 288,358 373,252

Farm type (no. of holdings)

General Specialist Specialist Cereals cropping Horticulture pigs poultry Dairy Grazing Mixed Other

Leices & Rutland 522 242 43 22 38 153 902 226 24

Northants 576 191 30 15 30 30 643 164 16

Total 1,098 433 73 37 68 183 1,545 390 40

Land use (ha)

Arable & bare fallow/GAEC 12 Temporary Permanent Rough land grass pasture grazing Farm woodland

Leices & Rutland 105,312 11,926 64,471 100 5,119

Northants 115,140 7,279 51,216 693 4,263

Total 220,452 19,205 115,687 793 9,382

Arable Crops area (ha)

Crops Sugar Field Peas for dry Cereals Potatoes OSR for Stock Maize Fallow Beef Beans harvesting feed Leices & Rutland 64,752 706 711 6,285 790 23,837 247 3,191 3,636 Northants 69,506 293 195 6,256 393 30,662 372 1,136 4,303 Total 134,258 999 906 12,541 1,183 54,499 619 4,327 7,939

APPENDIX 2 – Priority Areas in LNR

National Character Areas

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas - Arable Plants

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas – Bats & Doormice

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas – Brown Hare

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas – Butterflies, Bees & Vulnerable Grassland

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas – Farmland Birds

Farm Wildlife Priority Areas – Water Voles, Dragonflies, Newts & Toads

Catchment Sensitive Farming Capital Grant Scheme Target Areas 2011-2014

Catchment Sensitive Farming Catchment Boundaries 2011-2014

Surface Water Priority Areas

Surface Water Safeguard Zones (from EA’s What’s In Your Back Yard site)

Ground Water Priority Areas

APPENDIX 3 – CFE Voluntary Measures

VM1 Grass buffer strips next to a watercourse or pond

VM2 In-field grass strips to avoid erosion

VM3 Management of maize to avoid erosion

VM4 Watercourse fencing

VM5 Winter cover crops

VM6 Wildflower mix

VM7 Pollen & nectar mix

VM8 Legume and herb rich temporary grassland

VM9 Ryegrass seed for birds

VM10 Wild bird seed mix and maize-free game strips

VM11 Skylark plots

VM12 Lapwing plots

VM13 Unsprayed and/or unfertilised cereal headlands

VM14 Cultivated margins

VM15 Over wintered stubbles

VM16 Supplementary winter feeding for farmland birds

VM17 Field corners

VM18 Beetle banks

VM19 Fertiliser-free permanent pasture

VM20 Arable land reverted to grass

VM21 Selective use of spring herbicides

VM22 Brassica fodder crops