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Agriculture and Rural Development

Listed below are some examples of Agriculture and Rural Development work undertaken recently by Asken.

Contact us at:

k.taylor@asken.co.uk

European Commission/AMEC
CLIMA

Asken is part of a team of consultancies brought together by AMEC to provide support to DG CLIMA of the European Commission in its research into climate change and its effects.  Our application has been successful and we are now one of three consultancies operating under a framework agreement.

Project: Industrial Emissions Directive (IED)
Client: European Commission/AMEC

The IED is a directive which will consolidate 14 other pieces of European legislation into one set of laws governing emissions to air. The IPPC Directive is one of these, which includes regulations affecting intensive pig and poultry installations. In addition, provision has been made for including intensive rearing of cattle within the remit of the IED. Asken was appointed to work alongside AMEC, with special responsibility for assessing the implications on the cattle sector of its inclusion, and assessing the impacts of various proposals to 'fine tune' the regulations affecting pigs and poultry units.

Project:High Nature Value Farming in Scotland

Client: Scottish Natural Heritage

HNVF is a concept developed within Europe and it is being explored as a possible means for targeting support when the CAP is next reformed (in 2013). However, it is difficult to translate the concept into farming activity on the ground. Asken has been awarded a contract to interview around 50 farmers in 5 areas across Scotland, to gather data which will help to test indicators of HNVF and mapping work which SNH has completed in order to identify concentrations of HNVF.

Project:Transition Project

Client: Morecambe Bay Conservation Grazing Company Ltd

The Morecambe Bay Grazing Scheme is a novel way of providing the grazing management needed to ensure that sites designated for nature conservation and landscape retain their value. The future of the scheme is uncertain due to the imminent retirement of the existing grazier. After undertaking a review of future options for the Scheme, Asken was retained by MBCGC to raise funds and to implement the report’s recommendations.

Project: Review of the weight that should be given to the protection of Best and Most Versatile land (BMV)
Client: Defra/Entec UK

The government wants to consider the importance given to the best land when planning applications are being assessed. In order to help with this review, Entec, with Asken as specialist sub-contractor, has been appointed to make an assessment of the amount of BMV land lost to development over the last 10 years and the circumstances surrounding the losses. Asken advised the team on the agricultural aspects, and in particular the significance of trends in agriculture.

Project: Review of the Morecambe Bay Grazing Scheme
Client: Cumbria Wildlife Trust

The Morecambe Bay Grazing Scheme is a novel way of providing the grazing management needed to ensure that sites designated for nature conservation and landscape protection retain their value. The future of the scheme is uncertain due to the imminent retirement of the existing grazier. Asken Ltd was appointed to consider future options for the Scheme. Click here for more information.

Project: Pennine Water Restoration Project
Client: United Utilities/PAA Ltd

Asken’s expertise on common land and agricultural land management were employed by UU and PAA to provide options for future management of an area of moorland. Drainage from the land is used for public water supply but is contaminated as a result of over-grazing. Illegal use of motorcycles on the moorland is also contributing to the problem. The restoration plan is intended to reduce soil erosion and improve water quality.

Proposals for Changes to IPPC Rules
European Commission/Defra/Entec

In bringing together a range of EC Directives affecting emissions to the air from various industrial processes, Defra has to review and, where necessary, make changes to the rules applying to intensive livestock units in the UK. Various proposals for new measures are being considered. In a series of contracts for both the European Commission and Defra, Asken worked with Entec and provided expertise in agricultural management and the likely financial impacts of changes in the rules affecting IPPC and emissions to the air.

RIA of Proposals for Changes to NVZ Rules
Defra/Entec

In compliance with EC Directives, Defra has to review and, where necessary, make changes to the Action Programme for Nitrate Vulnerable Zones in England. Various proposals for new measures are being considered. As part of this process, a Regulatory Impact Assessment needs to be completed. Asken worked with Entec and provided expertise both in agricultural management and RIA work.

Evaluation of Rural Programmes in Wales
Welsh Development Agency/CRG Research Ltd

Asken joined a team of economists and rural development experts to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness, and degree of integration, of three rural development programmes – Article 33, LEADER+ and Rural Community Action. Asken was specifically requested to research the situation in Pembrokeshire and to look at how the same programmes have been implemented in Scotland and Ireland.

Cranborne Chase/West Wiltshire Downs AONB Management Plan
Wiltshire County Council/Entec

Following the development of a management plan for the AONB, Wiltshire County Council appointed Entec, with Asken as sub-contractor, to help in implementing the plan. Asken’s role was to consider the protocols covering farm diversification.

TIBRE – Application to a Water Catchment
Scottish Natural Heritage/Entec

SNH appointed Entec to explore the feasibility of applying the TIBRE philosophy in two pilot water catchments. Groups of farmers were recruited in the two pilot catchments (one in the Loch Lomond catchment, the other in the NE Scotland) and attempts made to identify possible TIBRE-style projects that they could apply.

Environmental Assessment of Agricultural Technologies
Scottish Natural Heritage/Entec

SNH are concerned that new technologies are promoted to the agricultural industry without due account being taken of their environmental impact. Entec and Asken reviewed alternative approaches to evaluating the impact of new technology and made recommendations to SNH.

Regulatory Impact Assessment of Proposals for Reform of Common Land Law
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs/University of Wales - Aberystwyth

Future Dairy Industry and Regulatory Activity
Environment Agency/Entec

Asken was responsible for the agricultural elements of a research project for the Environment Agency which looked at possible future developments within the dairy industry and the implications for the environment. Asken’s role was to consider alternative scenarios and advise environmental experts of the implications. Together, they then prepared advice to the Environment Agency on what regulations may need to be applied to control the predicted adverse effects.

Visitor Payback Study
Lake District National Park Authority/British Mountaineering Council

BMC members have shown a willingness to make a bigger contribution to the well-being of the areas they visit. As part of their Integrated Access Demonstration Project, the LDNPA explored possibilities of social inclusion and visitor payback. The two organisations came together and commissioned Asken to run a public meeting at which ideas were solicited from local interests and visitors, for projects to pursue. Two ideas emerged from this meeting and put into practice. One concerned the provision of opportunities for young people living in Langdale to go climbing or hill-walking; the other was to examine ways of bringing visitors to huts and local service providers into closer contact. Click here for more information

Climbing Huts Information Project
British Mountaineering Council

Ken assisted the BMC to design and implement a project to equip climbing huts in North Wales with information packs. The packs help promote use of local services, sustainable transport practices, responsible access and protection/enhancement of the natural environment. Ken also helped secure funding from various parties to support the project.

Structural Change in Agriculture
Land Use Policy Group/FPD Savills

In the light of the major pressures for change in UK agriculture, the LUPG commissioned a team of consultants, including Asken, to undertake a scoping study into likely directions of change. This provided a clearer view for the Group's members (Countryside Agency, Countryside Council for Wales, Scottish Natural Heritage, English Nature, Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency) of how their interests may be impacted upon, and what they can do to further their objectives. Click here for more information.

Sheep Flock Management
Environment Agency

The prevalence of ectoparasites in the UK sheep flock is increasing and the products used to treat infestations can pose environmental risks. Consequently, the Agency was looking to find other strategies for controlling spread. Asken, working with Lesley Stubbings Sheep Consultancy, was retained by the Agency to facilitate a seminar to discuss alternatives. The seminar was attended by representatives of the sheep producers, agrochemical manufacturers, vets, contractors, auctioneers and regulatory bodies (MAFF, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Environment Agency, Scottish Environment Protection Agency).

English Agriculture: Drivers of Change and Future Scenarios
Entec/Countryside Agency

Completion of a report for the Agency on the future of agriculture in England in order to inform the Agency's strategic thinking and policy development.

Accident Investigation
NFU Mutual

Asken was asked to give expert opinion on the design standards of a fence intended to keep livestock off a busy road, in the light of the escape of one of the animals that was subsequently killed in a road traffic accident.

Remediation Plan
Severn Trent Water Ltd/Entec

Asken was commissioned to prepare a remediation plan for a farmer whose land has been affected by the water abstraction activities of Severn Trent Water. The work involved assessing historic losses, preparing proposals for remediating the problems and assessing the costs of remediation. These proposals and estimates then form the basis of an offer of compensation to the farmer.

Integrated Land Management Plan
Ministry of Defence (Defence Estates)/Entec

Entec prepared an Integrated Land Management Plan (ILMP) for the Catterick Training Area, for the MOD. The ILMP brought together and reconciled conflicting/competing interests in the use of the training areas to provide a basis for on-going management of the areas. Asken completed the sections relating to agriculture and public liaison (access) and produced the final integration documents.

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