Support from Conservation organisations

We recently had a visit from Harry Barton, the Chief Executive of the Devon Wildlife Trust. We have been members of this excellent organisation for over 30 years. I nearly sold them Downes Mill near Crediton when I was auctioning the property in a previous life which they wanted as their HQ.

He was affable, helpful and friendly as we discussed plans for creating a wild-flower meadow and some over-wintered stubbles.

We also discussed the relationship between the Conservation societies and the farming and landowning community- something that has been in the news recently with the debate about the effects of and possible solutions to the floods on the Somerset levels.

Rather like the debate about religion, conversations about the environment become infiltrated by extremists on both sides. I noted some wild comments on Twitter from some understandably frustrated farmers (although not, interestingly, in Somerset) accusing the Environment Agency of pandering to the environmental lobby by refusing to dredge the rivers Parrot and the Tone. Quite rightly the RSPB pointed out that, replacing grazed pastures with flood water and then dead vegetation when it disappears (if it ever does) will not favour wildlife. The problem in Somerset is about cash and the Environment Agency doesn’t have enough to go round. Whether that is because they are wasting money elsewhere or because the public expenditure costs have been too harsh is a difficult call to make without knowing more of the detail- something that it is hard for laymen to work out!

The Environmental lobby does have its extremists too and to some of them those who farm and own land constitute the problem and not the solution, rather like they are or were to Robert Mugabe. Some of these protagonists are unhappy with the concept of property rights for the individual. The problem is that alongside property rights goes the confidence to invest in property and for many responsible property owners that includes protecting and enhancing the environment. This can include taking some responsibility for some preventative measures on the Somerset Levels and elsewhere. In a property owning democracy we need a balance between the rights of the state and the individual.

As I discussed with Harry however it would be helpful if the Conservation lobby was able to lobby more often in partnership with those whose businesses are located in the countryside. The fallen beech tree that brought down our phone and internet lines (see my last blog), was a hedgerow tree which contributed hugely to the biodiversity of its immediate area. The fact that my business and no doubt other people’s too are now suffering and we can’t get a sensible answer from BT should be an issue for the Conservation bodies as much as for those that represent rural business like the CLA or NFU.