Abstract
Introduction The Pilot Entry Level Scheme was launched in 2003 following recommendations from the Policy Commission on the Future of Farming and Food to consider a ‘broad and shallow’ agri-environment scheme in England. The aim of the Pilot Entry Level Scheme was to encourage a large number of farmers to deliver simple but effective environmental management across a wide area, and to test the practicability of the ELS design on a range of farm types, and to gather information which could be used to revise and improve it before making it available to all farmers in England in 2005. Four pilot areas were chosen to represent the four different English farming types, with a target number of agreements per Pilot Area of 50 (which was achieved in all 4 areas). Tiverton, DevonGrassland86 agreements Market Deeping, LincolnshireArable63 agreements Barnard Castle, DurhamUpland75 agreements Mortimer, BerkshireMixed 51 agreements Total275 agreements The Pilot Scheme was set up by the Rural Development Service (now Natural England) with a Pilot Area Coordinator (PAC) in each Pilot Area. The PACs role was to promote the Pilot Scheme and provide a degree of support to applicants in the application process. Pilot Scheme agreements were for 5 years and are due for renewal (into the main ELS scheme) in July 2008. The Pilot Scheme is now run by RPA Exeter. Evaluation Objectives Whilst there are administrative differences between the ELS Pilot and ELS there are close similarities in the options available – and the scheme objectives. The impact of the schemes (on the ground) and the views of the agreement holders are likely to be broadly comparable between the two schemes. The Pilot Scheme therefore offers an opportunity for an early assessment of how the main Scheme might “mature” and this evaluation will provide evidence for the ELS Review of Progress. 1.To assess the current views of ELS Pilot Scheme agreement holders and consider whether these views have changed through the course of their agreements. In particular to assess whether views have changed on: a.Advice needs/ requirements in implementing their Pilot agreements (retrospective on usefulness of the handbook/ agreement document and of advice events); b.Likelihood of renewal (into ELS main scheme);and, c.Option choice on renewal – would option choice change? reasons for changes? (including the impact of cross compliance conditions on option choice at renewal). 2.To determine the effects of the Pilot Scheme on the farm business/ the costs of implementing options. 3.To assess the confidence of Pilot Scheme agreement holders in implementing new options/ prescriptions (compared to before participation) in the Scheme. Including an assessment of how derogations have worked. 4.An assessment of the “quality” of land management, delivered under the scheme, to determine: a.Whether the management of habitats (and features) corresponds with the requirements of the option prescriptions b.The range of management approaches undertaken (for options where there is flexibility within the prescriptions). c.The nature of the habitat/feature after a period of agri-environment management 5.To consider the relationship between the “views” of participants and the “reality” of the agreements on the ground and an assessment of the lessons that can be learned from the ELS Pilot (with respect to ELS). 6.To inform the ELS Review of Progress by providing evidence about the options and farmer attitude from mature agreements.
United Kingdom