by Robbie Brett – Environmental Asset Manager – Farmland, Church Commissioners for England
The Church Commissioners for England hosted tenants at a workshop to discuss the current challenges and opportunities of farming on lowland peat. The workshop, led by Megan Hudson and Nicholas Allpress of Fenland SOIL, provided an update on the work and research Fenland SOIL has been carrying out over the last two years, as well as an opportunity to discuss the importance of a collaborative approach to data collection and knowledge sharing.
Recently appointed Environmental Asset Manager, Robert Brett, commented: “The Fens are critical to the UK’s food production, producing around a 1/3 of the nation’s fresh produce, yet there is considerable pressure from government for 60% of all peatlands to be rewetted due to the considerable greenhouse gas emissions associated with farming this soil type.”
With increasing pressure on the agricultural sector to reduce associated emissions, Fenland SOIL provides Fenland farmers with a seat at the table when discussing the future of food production on lowland peat with Defra. As a corporate sponsor of Fenland SOIL, the Church Commissioners for England look forward to continuing to support their tenants as well as work with Fenland SOIL to further discuss the key challenges and opportunities for lowland peat.
