Farmland

FARMLAND HABITAT ACTION PLAN

SURREY

Final Draft (28.11.01) Farmland Habitat Action Plan

This plan has been developed as part of a series of county specific Habitat Action plans, all constituent elements of the Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan. It is intended to inform a range of people including farmers, landowners, conservationists and the general public about the potential high conservation value of farmland It is also designed to offer practical advice to farmers as to how farm management techniques can be adjusted to benefit wildlife. The document should help inform the decision-makers at local government level and nationally as to the value of farmland for biodiversity in Surrey, drawing attention to the threats Surrey’s farmland is facing from development and the wider implications of structural change in the industry.

1) Habitat Definition

Due to the occurrence of a range of semi-natural habitats upon and adjoining Surrey’s farmland, it may be necessary to refer to the other Surrey Habitat Action Plans for additional information. Plans of particular relevance in Surrey include Chalk Grassland, Floodplain Grazing Marsh, Unimproved Neutral and Acid Grassland, Wetland, and Woodland.

Arable – Land that is cultivated, including horticultural land and improved grass leys as part of the arable rotation.

Improved grassland - Referring to types of improved grassland – e.g. perennial ryegrass leys and related grassland. Grassland that has undergone intensive management and treatment. Specialised grass-dominated species poor swards throughout lowland Britain. Highly productive short-term agricultural grasslands used for grazing and mowing in rotation with arable farming.

Boundary features – Field boundaries and the associated margins - Hedges, cultivated, grass or grass/wildflower strips, tracks, fences, walls, ditches, banks, rivers and streams. The UK BAP identifies two priority habitats: • Cultivated cereal field margins • Species-rich ancient hedgerows

The Biodiversity of Surrey’s Farmland

Farmland can offer a wide variety of potential habitats for many priority UK Biodiversity Action Plan species. However farmland is a working part of the landscape and must be economically viable. This makes the Farm HAP unique, as it must strike a balance between the need for a profitable farm business and the demands of the biodiversity that relies upon that farmland.

There are many species that through hundreds of years of farming have become dependent on the farmed landscape and its associated changes throughout the year. Due to agricultural policy and changes in technology, the more traditional farming methods involving for example, careful hedge management for stock control, low input, diverse rotational cropping, undersowing crops and winter stubbles have become less common. We have therefore, over the last 50 years experienced a rapid decline in the biodiversity dependent upon the farmed landscape.

This HAP addresses the fact that improvement of biodiversity on farmland is dependent upon on a fundamental change in awareness of the role farms have in safeguarding biodiversity. Simple small scale, cost free changes to management can make a large impact coupled with continued or renewed management of farmland features (e.g. hedgerows). Each farm should be aware of the impact their business has on biodiversity and how a balance can be struck to ensure continued profitable farming is coupled with retention and improvement of sustainable biodiversity levels in the next century.

Brief Description of the Wildlife Interest in each Habitat.

Arable:

• Nearly 300 types of wild plant grow upon tilled land, many of which are annuals that are adapted to exploiting bare ground and with long-lived seeds. Annual weeds are often considered to be unacceptable crop competition, but some of them are now amongst our rarest plants;

• Most of the insect species that occur on arable land are harmless to the crop, many are beneficial. Over 1000 different insect species spend part of their life cycles in cereal fields and 150 different types of spider have been found in them. The vast majority of these species do no harm to the farm operation and are often beneficial. They include crop pollinators, bees and flies as well as predators such as ground beetles;

• There are 350 species of non-specialist aphid predators found in cereal crops, ladybirds and hoverflies are common examples. These invertebrates are also potential food for gamebird chicks as well as other birds such as skylark and lapwing and mammals such as wood mice or shrews;

• The crop height, density and structure is also crucial to the diversity of species on the arable field.

• The stage of growth determines the ease by which the various species can move through the crop, or use it as cover. During the breeding season several birds choose to nest in arable fields (e.g. the skylark), they may chose to move between crop types depending on the time of year – generally whichever crop is below 30cm;

• The timing of sowing and cultivation is another factor that will affect the wildlife on arable land. For example autumn sown crops become too tall and dense for the birds to nest. These birds have declined as a result of the autumn sowing and this is compounded by the disappearance of mixed farming practices.

Field Margins – of which there are two types:

Grass Field Margins

• A strip of un-cropped land consisting of perennial grasses and other wild plants at the base of the hedge or along the fenceline can have great value for wildlife especially when it adjoins another hedge, pond or other habitat feature;

• Margins provide a habitat for small mammals and insects, including those that prey on crop pests. It has been estimated that a single tussock of soft hair grass can overwinter more than 1000 individual insects, including crop pest predators;

• A grass field margin of high biodiversity value will generally be at least 1 metre wide and contain perennial grasses and herbs, whereas many existing margins of little value contain annuals such as barren brome, cleavers and blackgrass;

• Margins can be used to buffer existing valuable habitats from farm operations adding to their role in benefiting biodiversity;

Cultivated Field Margins

• A strip of cultivated land managed to provide ideal conditions for rare arable plants, such as Venus’s looking glass, round and sharp-leaved fluellen, grey field speedwell, lesser snapdragon, corn marigold and prickly poppy.

• Many of these plants were once widespread and considered to be problem weeds, but are now amongst Britain’s rarest plants.

• The margin is cultivated in either the autumn or spring to provide conditions in which the seed bank of arable plants will germinate. The majority of these plants are annual and thus rely upon repeated cultivation.

Hedgerows

• Hedgerows are an important habitat feature in their own right (both) in terms of the range of plants that they contain and the biodiversity supported;

• They provide corridors of habitat that link across the wider landscape, providing nesting sites, shelter from predators and food in the form of nectar, berries and foliage;

• If properly managed the more recently planted hedges are still extremely valuable for wildlife;

• All hedgerows can act as links between other valuable habitats reducing the effects of fragmentation or ‘ islandization’;

• A rare species particularly associated with Surrey’s hedgerows is the brown hairstreak butterfly. It feeds on blackthorn and other members of the plum family. Annual trimming of hedgerows causes the eggs to be destroyed before the butterfly can complete its life cycle. Consequently the minimum requirement is that the hedge is left uncut at least every other year. Careful hedge management will of course benefit a range of other species as well as butterflies;

• There are many forms of hedge in the county, some being ancient and often associated with parish boundaries, supporting a wide range of shrubs. Others dating from the enclosure acts are less diverse, while some represent the remnants of ancient woodland that was left after fields were cut from the woods that once covered much of the county. These wide belts known as shaws are highly distinctive in Surrey and in many cases are disappearing through neglect;

• Sedentary insects and mammals can be supported by diverse ancient hedgerows which represent the last remaining fragments of larger woodland habitats that have been lost around them.

Improved Grassland

• Although little biodiversity is associated with improved grasslands they do have an important landscape and archaeological value. There are potential gains to be made with improved grassland; these include the creation of buffer strips to increase the value of the field edges and its restoration to semi natural grassland.

2) Current Distribution and Status

The latest DEFRA census figures provide statistical information about Surrey’s farmland. It is estimated that the area of agricultural land in Surrey is 62,839 hectares (37.5 % of the county), this area represents 5.3% of the total area of agricultural land in the South East. There has been a decline in agricultural land use over the past 20 years. This is of great concern for the wide range of species that are dependent on farmland.

Surrey is a small county (approximately 168,000 hectares). It’s proximity to London increases other demand on the land, the relatively low percentage of farmed land in the county highlights the importance of keeping Surrey farming, as so many species are dependant on the farm as their habitat.

Table: 1 % Change in Agricultural landuse in Surrey over 22 years.

1975 1980 1997 Farmland in Surrey (Ha) 71612 70934 62839 % of Surrey that is farmland 43 % 42% 37.5% % Change since 1975 -0.9% -12.5%

Figure 1: Decrease of farmland (ha) in Surrey

The table below highlights the distribution of agricultural land ownership within Surrey. When considering biodiversity it is important to note that relatively large amounts of land are owned by a low number of large holdings, thus highlighting the importance of commitment to farmland biodiversity by each landowner. Figure 1 helps to highlight this point further. In Surrey, 145 individual holdings cover 50% of the farmed land. 24 farms cover 20% of the farmed land. The vast majority of holdings are under 20 ha.

Major impacts could be made to the county’s farmland biodiversity by actions undertaken on only 145 sites.

Figure 2 – Breakdown of holding size and ownership in Surrey

Size of holdings Total Holdings Total Hectares % Holdings % Hectares > 300 24 11046 2 18 200-300 32 7455 3 12 100-200 89 12820 5 20 50-100 189 13018 11 21 0-20 965 7283 59 12 Table 2 – All holdings and farmland in Surrey 334 farms cover 71% of farmland in Surrey, 145 covers 50% 24 farms make up 18% of farmed land.

Table 3: Types of holdings within Surrey

Farm Type England (%) South East (%) Surrey (%) Dairying 14.0 7.3 14.6 Cattle and Sheep 21.6 12.8 24.4 Cropping 44.9 50.5 25.6 Pigs & Poultry 0.9 1.1 1.5 Horticulture 1.1 3.0 3.2 Mixed and Other Types 17.5 25.4 30.6

Surrey has a higher than average number of mixed farms and it also has a higher than average proportion of dairy farms when compared to the South East.

The above data is from the Surrey Farm Study 1999

Important Features of Farming in Surrey

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2. Arable farm birds (skylark, corn bunting) 3. Mixed farm birds (lapwing, tree sparrow, yellow hammer) 4. Rare arable plants (e.g.prickly poppy on chalk & corn marigold on sand) 5. Ancient hedgerows 6. Potential to improve wildlife value of intensive grassland 7. Availability of advice, eg FWAG, DEFRA etc 8. Agri-environment Schemes, rural development

3) Factors Affecting Key Features

Mixed Farming Character

Negative Factors: • The loss of stock and hence mixed farming systems • Crop monoculture (block cropping) – continuous cropping patterns leading to the loss of a mosaic of habitats • Increased pressure on farmland from development • Neglected land held for ‘hope’ value

Positive Factors: • Predominance of mixed farming in Surrey due to poor quality of land and historical factors.

Arable farm birds

Negative Factors: • Crop monoculture (block cropping) – continuous cropping patterns leading to the loss of a mosaic of habitats • Increasingly intensive agricultural production on farmland (crop yield, timing, inputs) • Reduced importance of spring sown arable crops in favour of autumn sown crops • Technological advances enabling rapid clean harvesting and sowing, resulting in more autumn grown crops • Bio-technical advances – impact of genetically modified crops has yet to be fully assessed • Cessation of under sowing crop techniques • Cessation of farming due to younger generation moving outside the industry • Division of land and sale often for non-agricultural purposes • Prohibitive establishment costs within the industry

Positive Factors • New arable options within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme due to start in 2002

Mixed Farm Birds

Negative Factors • The loss of stock and hence mixed farming systems • Ploughing of permanent grassland to sow temporary grass leys and application of inorganic fertiliser to unimproved grassland • Grasslands are being more intensively managed with early cutting reducing use by birds and animals • Crop monoculture (block cropping) – continuous cropping patterns leading to the loss of a mosaic of habitats • Increasingly intensive agricultural production on farmland (crop yield, timing, inputs) • Cessation of under sowing crop techniques • Extensive use of horse grazing sometimes leading to poaching as well as re-seeding of native grassland with non-native species • Over grazing particularly in winter, often linked to horse paddocks • Division of land and sale often for non agricultural purposes • Prohibitive establishment costs within the industry

Positive Factors • New arable options within the Countryside Stewardship Scheme due to start in 2002 • Predominance of mixed farming in Surrey due to poor quality of land and historical factors

Rare arable plants

Negative Factors • Increasingly intensive agricultural production on farmland (crop yield, timing, inputs); • New vigorous varieties of crops can out-compete rare arable plants even if the optimum conditions are present; • Lack of awareness of their importance; • Key sites are likely to be on marginal chalky or sandy soils which are also likely to be candidates for restoration to chalk grassland or heathland;

Positive Factors • Poor marginal soils in Surrey favour rare arable plants; • Seed banks of rare plants are in the soil, these areas need only be managed to provide optimum conditions and the plants will return;

Ancient Hedgerows

Negative Factors • Loss of ancient species-rich hedgerow through neglect and occasional removal; • Loss of the agricultural function of hedgerows in arable fields; • Over or under management of hedgerows and ditches often at inappropriate times of the year; • Alteration of hedgerow and grass margin communities through pesticide drift and fertiliser scatter • Ash and oak die back in hedgerows

Positive Factors • The significant extent of hedgerows in Surrey due to small fields, mixed farming character

Potential to improve wildlife value of intensive grassland

Negative Factors • Intensive livestock systems rely upon highly productive grass leys and silage making; • Extensive use of horse grazing sometimes leading to poaching as well as re-seeding of native grassland with non native species; • Over grazing particularly in winter, often linked to horse paddocks; • Lack of a grazier network;

Positive Factors • The dominance of intensive grassland in Surrey means there is large potential;

Availability of advice, eg FWAG, DEFRA etc

Negative Factors • Insufficient uptake of free conservation advice

Positive Factors • Well established Surrey & Hampshire FWAG

Agri-environment Schemes, rural development

Negative Factors • Influence of common agricultural policy on the farmed landscape; • Uncertainty of future legislation and agri-environment schemes; • Unwillingness of UK Government to provide match funding to increase modulation towards agri-environement schemes; • Complicated nature of agri-environment schemes puts potential applicants off applying;

Positive Factors • Modulation payments set to increase from X to X % by • New Rural Development Plan schemes including Rural Enterprise Scheme, Processing and Marketing Scheme, Energy Crops Scheme and Vocational Training Scheme.

4) Importance to people and cultural significance

Farming has in the past and continues to be a major influence on the landscape of Surrey. At the turn of the century Surrey supported more cattle per acre than anywhere else on earth! There is now a matrix of commercial farmland (37.5% of the county) including mixed farm landscapes that are very important to this Habitat Action Plan.

It should be stressed that farmers manage a whole range of habitats in the county and not just those identified in this action plan. Important habitats such as chalk grassland and floodplain grazing marsh all exist because of and are or were managed by farmers as they produced food for the local population and further a field.

The county has a large population and is well served by roads and public transport into London, this coupled with a vast number of public rights of way means that the landscape is highly visited and valued. Arable farmland is not something one immediately associates with Surrey, however those areas of more open farmland offer diversity within the landscape and specific ecological niches. They are noted as being ‘different’ and ‘not enclosed’ by those who enjoy the Surrey farm landscape and as such they are appreciated for the variety they provide.

The commercial arable and mixed farmland is also important in retaining a working profit making landscape. At present there is huge pressure on this way of life within the county. Farmers increasingly feel isolated from the very communities they were once the mainstay of. Yet without them and future healthy rural development, the landscape will alter radically and those facets that are enjoyed by the population as a whole will be lost.

In addition to those open areas and often bounding and crossing them are Surrey’s hedgerows. These features in many peoples minds represent a typical rural idyll, a healthy thick hedge or green lane swarming with bees and butterflies feeding on a range of nectar rich plants. In reality such hedges are becoming increasingly uncommon yet they are highly valued in the minds of many. Their future management and inclusion in this farmland action plan is therefore critical if future generations are to enjoy them.

5) Benefits to the community and Private Sector

The implementation of this plan will help to address the issues raised in the previous section. Premiums on farm produce could be gained through incorporating biodiversity conservation and farming issues. Locally produced food could be sold to a large local market. If this was from farms managed in a sustainable manner it could offer much needed additional income to farmers already under pressure, while satisfying the general public demand for environmental improvements and an attractive Surrey landscape.

Promotion of farming issues and education of the population as to how their food is produced is important and should be given a higher priority. Through such a process it may be possible to satisfy the farming needs for a sound income with the community’s needs for food that is produced from environmentally conscious farms. These farms would be working with the long term aim of retaining an attractive landscape and maintaining a wealth of biodiversity. It may be that food costs will be higher as a result but this message must be made clear as part of the process.

6) Potential

Arable and improved grassland can be managed sympathetically but there is little scope within an ever-changing agricultural industry to safeguard for example a set acreage of spring cropping to provide winter stubbles without government support to act as an incentive.

Surrey is mainly grade 3 agricultural land often located within a mosaic of small fields, this does not lend itself to cereal production at yields and efficiencies that will compete when world market prices for wheat are realised. This is a fundamental dilemma that can only be addressed through recognition of the importance of farmland habitats for wildlife and support to retain such habitats.

At a more fundamental level retention of the farming industry in any form in the county is essential if diverse farmland landscapes and habitats are to be retained. There is a real possibility that farming in the county will decline greatly in the next 20 years. The following points raise possible potential opportunities for farmers in the county to remain viable and in turn continue to provide essential farmland habitats for the general public to enjoy and for wildlife utilise.

• Inform the buying general public about how and where their food is produced; • Sell it to them locally and direct through farmers markets; • Make use of properly funded Agri-environment schemes to supplement farm incomes; • Utilise environmental credentials to add value to farm produce, for example Surrey Hills Branding initiative; • Be innovative, E-commerce, alternative crops, diversification and new farming techniques are all rapidly developing and hugely diverse subject areas;

7) Current Action

Outline of current initiatives

• Arable Areas Payment Scheme (AAPS): Principal means of support to farming industry through payment made on basis of cropped area. Administered by DEFRA.

• Combinable Crops Farm Assurance Scheme: Promotes quality through protocols and independent inspection.

• Countryside Management Projects: Lower Mole Project, Heathland Project, Downlands Project, Horley - Crawley Project and Blackwater Valley Project. Offering support to communities, landowners and farmers at a grass root level, to help implement conservation work on the ground.

• Countryside Stewardship Scheme (CSS): Offers payment for the enhancement and extensive management of key landscapes and farm habitats. Administered by RDS/DEFRA.

• Linking Environment and Farming (LEAF): Promotes integrated crop management and supports series of demonstration farms.

• Habitat Scheme (HS): Offered 20 year agreements to protect and enhance wildlife habitats on or adjoining land formerly in voluntary the Five–Year Set-aside Scheme ( this element of the Habitat scheme is no longer available. Administered by RDS/DEFRA.

• Organic Farming Scheme (OFS): for conventional farms that wish to convert to organic holdings. Producers converting their holdings may apply for grants to cover a five-year period to help with the financial problems often associated with conversion. Administered by DEFRA.

• England Rural Development Programme (ERDP): The ERDP includes existing agri-environmental schemes, together with 4 new grant schemes: the Rural Enterprise Scheme, Energy Crops Scheme, Vocational Training Scheme and Processing and Marketing Scheme. The RES has provisions for environmental projects including landscape conservation, and aims to complement existing schemes. Administered by RDS/DEFRA.

Organisations that can offer Help

• ADAS: Privatised ex-government advisory body, contracted by DEFRA to provide free conservation visits to all farms.

• Rural Development Service (DEFRA): Formerly FRCA and previously statutory arm of ADAS. Responsible for the administration of the England Rural Development Programme. Assists government on the design, development and implementation of farming and conservation, environmental protection and rural development policies.

• Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (Surrey and Hampshire): Offers farming advisory service that unites wildlife and landscape conservation with commercial farming. Free initial visits are available for every farm in the county.

• Game Conservancy Trust: Offer specific advice on game and related habitat management.

• Surrey Wildlife Trust: Part of the UK Wildlife Trusts Partnership. Owns and manages 29 nature reserves. Administers the County Wildlife Sites scheme (Sites of Nature Conservation Interest) and provides ecological survey and management advice across the county.

Legal Considerations

If a farmer / landowner / land manager is concerned about the implications of having a particular species, statuatory or non statuatory land designation applied to their land they should contact the local FWAG adviser, Surrey Wildlife Trust, English Nature or other conservation organisation for practical advice.

8) Objectives

General Objectives of the Surrey Farmland HAP

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5. focus attention on the potential and existing biodiversity value of Surrey’s farmland.
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2. To inform people about biodiversity and its importance. 3. To highlight the recent decline in the farmed area in Surrey, particularly mixed farming, and to curb the losses in the future. 4. To draw attention to the fact that relatively few land holdings cover a large area of the county – allowing a high potential for improving the biodiversity of Surrey’s farmland. 5. To provide a forum for the different organisations and individuals with interests in the countryside to discuss their main areas of concern. 6. To give practical advice to farmers as to how to improve biodiversity on their land. 7. Give advice to policy makers and grant aiding bodies as to the needs of farmers when considering farm biodiversity as part of a profitable farm unit. 8. To promote and educate markets and increase the flow of information from farmers to markets. 9. Contribute to national objectives.

Biodiversity Objectives of the Surrey Farmland HAP

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5. enhance the condition of Surrey’s existing ancient hedgerows and maintain their extent across the county.
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2. To ascertain the current status of rare arable plants in the county and maintain their extent across the county.

3. To maintain or increase the number of the following breeding birds in farmland habitats in Surrey, subject to national trends: • Skylark • Corn bunting • Tree sparrow • Grey partridge

9) Proposed Action

GENERAL Target Action Key Players By When Priority Raise awareness of biodiversity issues among the farming community Articles, leaflets, talks, media, farm walks NFU, FWAG, SWT CLA 2004 I Ensure farming community aware of all incentive schemes. Publicise agri-environment incentive schemes RDS, FWAG 2004 I Ensure conservation community aware of importance of arable farmland and actions that can improve biodiversity Liaison meetings, dissemination of literature, NFU, GCT, FWAG, SWT, SCC 2004 I Ensure general public including schools aware of farming and biodiversity issues. Articles, leaflets, talks, media, farm walks SCC, FWAG, SWT, NFU, CLA 2004 I Ensure supermarkets and other retailers are aware of impacts of their buying policies on farmland biodiversity Lobby supermarkets NFU, CLA 2004 I Sale of local produce from sustainable farming systems to the local population Farmers market support, encouragement of Surrey Hills produce initiative LA’s, SCC, NFU, CLA, FWAG, Business Link 2004 I

FARMLAND BIRDS (mixed and arable) Target Action Key Players When Priority Encourage mixed farm systems Lobby for changes to CAP RSPB, SWT, NFU, CLA, Farmers 2007 II Encourage spring cropping Ensure awareness of the new spring cropping options in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme FWAG, DEFRA 2003 I Increase awareness of the year round requirements of farmland birds Articles, training days, farm visits, farm walks FWAG, GCT, DEFRA 2004 I

HEDGEROWS / FIELD MARGINS AND OTHER BOUNDARIES Target Action Key Players By When Priority Improved management of hedges/ field margins Lobby for redirection of money away from production support to payments for positive action i.e. skills training and funding. SWT, RSPB, 2004 I Improved awareness of the importance of species rich hedgerows Articles, farm visits, farm walks FWAG, SWT 2004 I Reinstate Landscape Conservation Grants Lobby Surrey County Council NFU, CLA, FWAG, SWT 2005 I I Simplification of Countryside Stewardship and more rapid processing of grants – more funds should be made available. a. Discuss with RDS b. Letters to Government re complexity of rules. c. Letter indicating disincentive of AAPs conflicting with other incentives to manage margins better. RSPB, SWT, NFU, CLA 2005 I I More hedgelaying, coppicing linkage planting and sensitive flail use to help restore and maintain hedges and field margins More on farm skills training and advice FWAG, SWT, NFU, CLA, Farmers, BTCV 2004 I Inventory of existing hedgerows and diverse field margins Compile record of lengths of hedge and margins in good, fair and poor conditions. FWAG, Farmers, Parish based partnerships 2008 I Improved availability of advice from FWAG, GCT with more advisers Lobby all levels of Government. Need for coherent, consistent and available advice. NFU, SWT, CLA 2005 I I

ARABLE Target Action Key Players When Priority Inventory of all sites where rare arable plants are present Compile records or where they were and if they are there at present FWAG, SWT, DEFRA project officers, GCT, farmers, Parish based partnerships 2005 I Devise a strategy for preferred land use, eg arable, or restoration to chalk grassland / heathland Partnership between the chalk grassland HAP, Heathland HAP and Farmland HAP FWAG, EN, Heathland Project, DEFRA, SWT 2006 I Changes to CAP Find best contacts in government, write to them and MPs, MEPs with BAP (HAP) RSPB, SWT, NFU, CLA, Farmers 2007 I I Raise awareness of Integrated Farming Systems and their value. Costed examples for farmers Promote LEAF and its demonstration farms. Promote good practice through FWAG farm walks. FWAG, NFU, CLA, GCT 2004 I Inclusion of biodiversity issues in DEFRA June census Lobby DEFRA NFU, CLA 2004 I I Co-ordinated advisory Service Better use of forums. Better co-ordination and liaison between organisations NFU, CLA, FWAG, SWT, GCT 2005 I Greater community awareness and understanding of farming environmental issues Forge links with parish councils and LA21. Maintain existing links with countryside management projects. Promote Surrey Farm and Village Week. FWAG, NFU, CLA, Countryside Agency 2004 I Targetted positoning and sensitive management of set-aside. Provision of advice and literature to farmers . FWAG, CGT 2005 I I

IMPROVED GRASSLANDS Target Action Key Players When Priority Increase accessibility of stewardship. Liaise with DEFRA NFU, CLA 2004 I 6m improved grass margins to be counted toward set aside requirements. Lobby DEFRA NFU, CLA, SWT 2004 I Assessment of effectiveness of extensification of improved swards Demonstration sites and monitoring of existing farm examples DEFRA/RDS, SWT 2008 I I

PRIORITIES THAT SPAN ALL THREE HABITAT TYPES:

1) An improved Countryside Stewardship Scheme. • Increase the budget for CSS • Simplification of CSS and other agri-environment schemes • More rapid processing of grants • Promotion to farming community • Increased accessibility with better payments • Accessibility of new arable options.

2) Improved availability for scope and advice. • More advisers giving on farm environmental advice FWAG, GCT etc. • Better liaison and co-ordination between parties • Better management of grassland and other habitats • Provision of appropriate leaflets and seminars • Simplification of multiple sources of advice • Maintenance of Countryside Management Projects to encourage community involvement

3) Movement away from production support towards payments for positive action. • Improved management of hedges and field boundaries • Grants for skills training • Costed demonstration farms to show what can be achieved

4) Reform of CAP • HAP should be able to accommodate any policy changes that may occur over the next few years.

11) Monitoring and Review

The achievements of the Farmland HAP could be measured over different time scales. In the short term the HAP process has already succeeded in bringing together the different organisations concerned with countryside management, to discuss ways in which the biodiversity value of farmland can be improved. The real measures of success must however be seen to be the extent to which the objectives, targets and actions are actually delivered on the farm. This will of course be a gradual process with the farmland HAP acting as the first real stage. Achievements in the delivery of the HAP could be measured by:

• The number of farmers who have successful applications to agri-environment schemes (perhaps indicating an increase in government funding) • An increase in the uptake of FWAG advice in the form of Whole Farm Landwise reports • An increase in the uptake of Integrated Farming Systems • The success of local product place marketing – with added value attributed to products due to being farmed in a way that considers the environment. • Measured improvements in hedge/field boundary management. • Rises in or slowing of decline in species directly linked to the farmland habitats. • Cessation of mixed farm losses

The points above are examples of success indicators. It is vital that we include a method of monitoring & reporting the progress of the HAP so that the process can be reviewed in future years. It is very important that the HAP is seen as a process to curb the decline of farmland species rather than a one-off solution.

In line with the other Surrey Habitat Action plans it is the responsibility of the farmland HAP working group co-ordinator (FWAG Farm Conservation Adviser) to report annually to the Surrey Biodiversity partnership on progress made towards delivering the actions outlined within the plan. In order for the plan to be successful implemented it is necessary for the working group to be formalized and thereafter meet on a 6-monthly basis to co-ordinate action and assess progress. The plan is to be reviewed after a five-year period.

Some common and rarer examples of species and their associated farmland feature :

Butterflies

Species Field margin Hedgerow Ditches Arable field Grassland Meadow brown   Large skipper  Small skipper  Brown hairstreak  White letter hairstreak  Orange tip  Common blue  Small copper 

Mammals

Species Field margin Hedgerow Ditches Arable field Grassland Field vole  Pippistrelle bat  Dormouse  Water vole  Brown hare   Hedgehog  Harvest mouse   

Birds

Species Field margin Hedgerow Ditches Arable field Grassland Grey partridge  Barn owl    Bullfinch   Turtle dove  Song thrush   Corn bunting  Tree sparrow   Linnet  Yellow hammer  Skylark  Lapwing   Reed bunting  Snipe 

Plants

Species Field margin Hedgerow Ditches Arable field Grassland Meadow cranesbill  Common rest-harrow  Black mullien  Red campion  Foxglove  Dogrose  Primrose  Greater stitchwort  Honeysuckle  Upright hedge parsley  Purple loosestrife  Marsh marigold  Meadow-sweet  Common meadow-rue  Yellow flag  Red-tipped cudweed  Ground pine  Broad-leaved cudweed  Venus’s looking glass  Dwarf spurge  Round-leaved fluellen  Field woundwort  Small-flowered catchfly  Corn gromwell  Corn marigold  Rough poppy  Corn buttercup  Cocksfoot  Timothy 

Amphibians & reptiles

Species Field margin Hedgerows Ditches Arable field Grassland Common frog  Common toad  Grass snake  

PRACTICAL INFORMATION AND TIPS ON HOW TO HELP ENSURE BIODIVERSITY IS RETAINED AND DEVELOPED ON THE FARM

Firstly, what is Biodiversity? It is simply the variety of life, the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, the habitats they live in and together the ecosystems they form.

What is the Surrey Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) It is a document that aims to conserve and enhance biodiversity at the county level through the identification of priority habitats and species and preparation of local action plans. This leaflet was produced as part of the Surrey Farmland Habitat Action Plan that covers, hedges, field margins, arable crops, and improved grassland. It is one of ten HAP’s that make up the overall county BAP.

What is its relevance to farming? Farmland makes up about 40% of the county and without support from the farming community the impact of the BAP will be limited. The BAP process offer the perfect opportunity for farmer involvement, good publicity and a chance to demonstrate that farmers are indeed custodians of the countryside. Add to this the reality of farm assurance and the possibility of associated environmental requirements and cross-compliance and it is clear that there is more to be gained from being aware of the issues than simply ignoring them. As the points below illustrate every little can help and does not have to cost the farm operation.

Things that every farm should do

• Take advice from those organisations that can help you consider the biodiversity issues on your farm: Free Visits: The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

• Seriously consider the Countryside Stewardship Scheme. Tel 0118 9581222 for information.

• Establish a whole farm policy that integrates both production and environmental issues and flags up cost free actions that can contribute to maintaining biodiversity on the farm. Contact FWAG for help.

• Contact the ‘organic advisory service’ to find out about organic conversion if deemed appropriate.

Appendix I: KEY BIODIVERSITY SPECIES ASSOCIATED WITH FARMLAND IN SURREY COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME TAXA STATUS IN SURREY UK BAP LIST* Skylark Alauda arvensis Bird Common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor Short Linnet Carduelis cannabina Bird Common resident, passage migrant and winter visitor Middle Corn bunting Miliaria calandra Bird Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant; formerly bred Middle Tree sparrow Passer montanus Bird Scarce resident, passage migrant and winter visitor Middle Grey partridge Perdix perdix Bird Scarce resident Short Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Bird Common resident Middle Turtle dove Streptopelia turtur Bird Moderately common summer visitor and passage migrant Middle Song thrush Turdus philomelos Bird Numerous resident Short Water vole Arvicola terrestris Mammal Uncommon, declining Short Brown hare Lepus europaeus Mammal Unknown Short Dormouse Muscardinus avellanarius Mammal Unknown Short Pipistrelle bat Pipistrellus pipistrellus Mammal Short Cornflower Centaurea cyanus Vascular plant Nationally vulnerable Middle Deptford pink Dianthus armeria Vascular plant Nationally vulnerable county rarity Middle Red-tipped cudweed Filago lutescens Vascular plant Nationally vulnerable county rarity Middle Broad-leaved cudweed Filago pyramidata Vascular plant Nationally endangered county rarity Middle Red hemp-nettle Galeopsis angustifolia Vascular plant County rarity Middle Shepherds needle Scandix pecten-veneris Vascular plant Last recorded 1968 Middle Small-flowered catchfly Silene gallica Vascular plant County rarity Middle Spreading hedge-parsley Torilis arvensis Vascular plant County rarity Middle *PLEASE NOTE THAT ‘SHORT’ AND ‘MIDDLE’ LIST SPECIES ARE NOW DEFINED AS UK ‘PRIORITY’ SPECIES AND THEREFORE IN RECEIPT OF NATIONAL SPECIES ACTION PLANS (SAPS). FARMLAND HABITAT ACTION PLAN ( HEDGEROWS AND FIELD MARGINS, ARABLE CROPS, IMPROVED GRASSLAND) TOP TIPS Hedgerows • Cut hedges on rotation after Christmas if ground conditions allow, no more than twice in 5 years • Aim to have a mix of hedge types over the farm, some free grown, some thick and twiggy (2-3 metres) • Always leave at least 1m of grass between crop and hedge • Consider an application covering hedge restoration and grass margin development • Request free hedgerow and field margin management literature from FWAG or the Game Conservancy Trust Tel 01483 404255 or 01425 652381 • Keep pesticides and fertilisers out of hedges and margins, this will save money and increase their value.

Arable and Improved Grassland • Investigate if conservation headlands are an option for your farm • Consider beetle banks and or grass strips to split fields over 16 hectares in size • Assess if the Countryside Stewardship Scheme could be utilised on your farm for arable reversion to grassland • Investigate the new arable options in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme being introduced in 2002 • Ensure you or your agronomists are using insect thresholds as a guide to when spraying needed. • Consider undertaking a LEAF audit • Consider a visit to a LEAF Demonstration farm or going on a FWAG farm walk • Undertake to get and environmental update from the organisations listed below at least once every two years. • Roll and harrow before April if possible to minimise interference with ground nesting birds • Cut set-aside as late as possible, 15 August is the latest date allowed although 25% can be left uncut in any year • Try to leave over wintered weedy stubbles on set aside if possible • Continue to undersow arable crops to grass where practicable • Harvest or mow crops in strips or from centre out to avoid trapping mammals in the crop • Calibrate sprayers and spreaders regularly • Inform local spray liaison officer to avoid killing local bee populations • Consider a whole farm conservation plan

APPENDIX

SURREY FARMLAND WORKING GROUP

Working Group Lead: Luke Stevens Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group

Working Group Members:

Second lead: Harriet Dennison The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds

Howard Whiting Butterfly Conservation

Mark Stevenson Department for the Environment Farming and Rural Affairs

John Archer, Colin Hall National Farmers Union

Angus Stovold Farmer

Julia Page County Landowners and Business Association

John Edwards Surrey County Council

Jill Barton Surrey Wildlife Trust

Pete Thompson The Game Conservancy Trust

Appendix Useful Contacts

• The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group Tel 01483 404255 • The Game Conservancy Trust Tel 01425 652381 • Surrey Wildlife Trust Tel 01483 488055 • DEFRA Tel 0118 9581222 • Farming and Rural Conservation Agency Tel 01483 404281 • Organic Farming Scheme Tel 0117 9227707 • RSPB Tel 01273 220236 • Environment Agency, Thames Tel 01276 454300, Southern 01903 832000 • Surrey County Council Tel 020 85418800 • NFU Regional Tel 01730 408000 • CLA 01273 494003 • LEAF Tel 01203 413911 • Forestry Authority Tel 01420 23337 • BTCV Tel 020 8541 7157 • Countryside Agency Tel 020 78313510 • Butterfly Conservation Tel 01929 400209

The Surrey Biodiversity Partnership wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the Environment Agency, English Nature, Surrey County Council and Surrey Wildlife Trust.