Re-assessing agrarian policy and practice in local environmental management: the case of beef cattle

摘要: There are policy pressures to make agriculture more environmentally sustainable and give a local expression agri-environmental priorities. This paper considers these moves, with particular reference the beef sector, speculates on further responses required facilitate benign management. The UK sector is characterized by its complexity diversity but four major systems can be identified operating at varying levels of intensity. Of these, suckler herds grass-rearing have long been associated high natural value forms agricultural land Many cherished habitats landscapes dependent upon grazing for their ecological amenity value. However combination BSE crisis, strength sterling recent Foot & Mouth epidemic threatens sustainability nature systems. importance fifty selected Sites Special Scientific Interest highlighted in paper. Survey work wide range particularly vulnerable changes profitability including: coastal marsh, wet acidic grassland / marshland, upland moor heath, calcareous neutral grassland. To maintain requires sensitive conditions than appears currently case. little support farmers regional context, still less giving special prominence those farming within biotopes. Nor has there sufficient encouragement markets traditional breeds. continuing pressure CAP reform offers opportunity policies devolved regions localities.