FARM SUPPORT in the post-Brexit future could become much more dependent on environmental care and the delivery of public goods – so measuring and valuing natural assets is likely to become an important part of the allocation process.

With Defra secretary Michael Gove's talk of a 'green Brexit' in mind, a recent trial was carried out with Scottish tenant farmers, applying what is known as ‘the Natural Capital Protocol’ – a way of gathering data on the natural assets on farms, measuring, for example, the quality of both its soil and its water.

The project allowed farmers to understand the types of natural capital on their farm and how they might impact their business – and use that information to develop more sustainable models for their farm which would benefit their businesses, society and nature.

Tenant farmer Jim Simmons, who was involved with the project, said: “The trial has been really useful in helping to increase my awareness of how our business may impact the natural environment. It’ll help us to make more informed decisions about how to improve our farming operations going forward, both in economic and environmental terms,” he explained.

A number of organisations were involved with the trial, which was funded by Crown Estate Scotland, Scottish Natural Heritage and Scotland’s Environmental Protection Agency.

SNH head of rural resources Claudia Rowse said: “Natural capital can be an off-putting phrase for farmers, but farming has always been about preserving and enhancing natural capital. The work done on the Natural Capital Protocol will help inform our thinking about the future long-term support for agriculture. It is noteworthy that the case studies showed a positive cost-benefit ratio from investing in soils, woodlands, wetlands or peatlands,” she stated.

Crown Estate Scotland head of property, Andrew Wells, added: “The rural sector in Scotland and across the UK is facing a lot of uncertainty and, with EU subsidies and funding likely to be phased out in coming years, the natural capital approach provides a different way of measuring and assessing business impacts and understanding emerging opportunities for the long term sustainable use of our land.”

SEPA chief executive Terry A’Hearn added: “Every day we work to protect and enhance Scotland's environment, helping communities and businesses thrive within the resources of our planet. This is at the core of our regulatory strategy One Planet Prosperity.

“Planet Earth provides everything we need for our health, well-being and prosperity – air, water, food, raw materials, energy, and processes which break down wastes. If everyone lived as we in Scotland do, we would need the resources of almost three planets to support ourselves,” Mr A’Hearn warned.