Herefordshire Farmers Lead Biodiversity

We are particularly fortunate in Herefordshire with our farming landscape as our local farmers grow a greater range of food than possibly anywhere else in the UK.  This wide range of crops* in turn attracts a vast array of wildlife, and it is no coincidence that Herefordshire supports such an impressive range of wild birds.

 It is very easy to take our countryside for granted but if you visit the flatlands of East Anglia, where cereals abound, or many parts of Wales, where grass is the predominant crop, it’s always a pleasure to get back home and appreciate our diverse landscape.

Food security

Food security is a much-debated topic particularly as we import 80% of the fruit and 50% of the vegetables we consume. Herefordshire certainly pulls its weight in this regard.  It’s hard to believe but there is more land in the UK being used for playing golf than for growing fruit and vegetables. 

Greater self-sufficiency is going to be vital in the future as our supermarket buyers have to compete with those of other countries whose living standards are rising. As world diets become more sophisticated, and as food supplies get tighter, we will have to reduce the amount of food we waste which at the moment is a staggering 40%. 

Water Quality Vital 

By far the biggest environmental concern locally is the state of our rivers and the River Wye in particular.  The demand for chicken as a source of cheap food has led to many hill farmers seeking licenses to put up intensive chicken houses close to the headwaters of the Wye. The resultant chicken manure is then stored outside and in times of high rainfall, is causing runoff which finds its way into the river. 

I am told that a lack of facilities for testing water samples has contributed to The Environment Agency, and DEFRA being continually in “catch-up” mode.  Water companies have been responsible for their own policing and that’s why it’s taken so long for the relevant agencies to understand just how polluted our rivers have become. Rivers are the arteries of the country and should be used to indicate where we are environmentally.  If the Government really wants to get on top of water quality issues it should substantially increase its ability to test water samples.

Housing pressure 

Almost the first pledge from the new Government was a promise to increase the number of new houses. Almost every village in Herefordshire had new housing schemes, but unfortunately, most houses are way above the prices that local people can afford to pay. This not only leaves a lot of first-time buyers unable to get on the housing ladder, but in such a beautiful part of the country attracts many retired people who inevitably increase the pressure on the N.H.S., at the same time starving local businesses of suitable employees. 

Water management 

The two most vital resources for these new housing developments are energy and water, and it’s hard to understand why so few new builds have solar panels on their roofs.  A plentiful water supply is taken for granted but it is not that long ago the water table levels were a cause of concern after a period of dry weather. Most of our major reservoirs were built by the Victorians, so we must be very careful that there is sufficient supply where these developments are proposed as even a modest number of houses can have a massive effect on the water table. 

At present no one takes responsibility for the state of our roadside ditches. I believe it would be economically beneficial if farmers were paid a grant and held responsible for maintaining ditches and culverts. During periods of heavy rainfall, they are on the spot to check that the drainage is working. They are in most cases the businesses who benefit most from a well-maintained transport network and the council would benefit from a reduction in subcontractors’ costs.

If we didn’t have all these complaints to make life would be very boring, but the main reason for airing them is that we care about maintaining this exceptionally beautiful part of England that we are lucky enough to live in.

Iain Turner

*Agricultural products produced around Pembridge. Wheat, Barley, and Oats. Oil Seed Rape, Blackcurrants, Desert and Cider Apples, Pears, Damsons, Sloes, Plums, Grapes for wine, Potatoes, Maize, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries and Cherries, Milk and Eggs.