FARMERS are being urged to have their say on a “revolutionary” new land management scheme.

Working alongside Defra, the North York Moors National Park Authority is calling on farmers and land managers to assist in the creation of a new land management scheme that will deliver positive outcomes for both the environment and those whose livelihoods depend on the sustainable management of the land.

Defra aims to create a new Environmental Land Management scheme (ELMs) that would deliver flexible long-term environmental objectives over the next 25 years, such as thriving plants and wildlife, clean air, as well as mitigation/adaptation to climate change.

To support the development of this new scheme, the North York Moors National Park Authority is urging farmers and land managers within the National Park to have their say through a questionnaire.

Rebecca Thompson, future farming policy officer for the National Park, said: “This is the first time that farmers and land managers have had the opportunity to help co-design a revolutionary new approach towards land management.

“We do not underestimate the need to develop a plan that benefits both land managers as well as the environment and so it is vital that farmers come forward. At such a critical time for the environment it is vital that we all play our part towards a sustainable future.”

As part of the programme, farmers and land managers will have a contract to deliver environmental outcomes alongside their primary business supplying market products. ELMs will provide farmers, foresters and land managers with the opportunity to derive an income in return for delivering environmental benefits, fostering a more business led partnership approach between farmers, land managers and Defra.

The National Park Authority’s role is to identify which environmental benefits farmers and land managers within the National Park want to deliver as well as developing a tool to model the economic impact of a proposed scheme and the impact this has on different farming sectors within the National Park. There will also be focus groups and one-to-one interviews to collate more information.

To take part, email r.thompson@northyorkmoors.org.uk to be put on the distribution list.