Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 18
18
Accepted
Paragraph: 116
ELMS implementation requires continuous monitoring and adaptation to ensure positive environmental outcomes.
Recommendation
Evidence from this Inquiry supports the conclusions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that the impact of Environment Land Management Schemes (ELMS) should be monitored and adapted as needed throughout its implementation, to gain the benefit of an iterative approach to policy development. ELMS should also show that it delivers better environmental outcomes than previous agri-environmental schemes. However generous and efficient the payment system is, the actions being rewarded need to have their impacts monitored and assessed to ensure specific outcomes like improved insect populations are delivered by ELMS and that public money is well spent. Successful execution of this monitoring, coupled with feedback from farmers and land managers, will give a more comprehensive overview of the individual and collective effects of ELMS implementation.
Government Response Summary
The government states that it already has an established monitoring and evaluation strategy for the Farming and Countryside Programme schemes, including ELMS, which covers species populations and is subject to ongoing adaptation and regular reporting on Gov.uk.
Paragraph Reference:
116
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
Defra posts regular updates on Gov.uk regarding the monitoring and evaluation of its Farming and Countryside Programme schemes. There is an established monitoring and evaluation strategy and programme that builds on the investment made in environmental land management scheme (ELMS) evaluation over the last few decades of Pillar 2 (e.g. Environmental and Countryside Stewardship) of the Common Agricultural Policy. Monitoring the impact of ELMS on species populations, including insect abundance is included in the ELMS monitoring and evaluation strategy. Theme, scheme and programme level monitoring and evaluation reports will continue to be published on Gov.uk. This will continue to include updates on scheme uptake and how we are continuing to learn and adapt our ELMS during the Agricultural Transition.