A DARTMOOR pilot project which has put farmers at the heart of improving the environment while safeguarding food production could provide lessons for the whole country, a report has suggested.

Since August 2010 the Dartmoor Farming Futures initiative has been developing a new approach to land management at two sites, Haytor and Bagtor Commons and the Forest of Dartmoor.

The scheme was developed by Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and Dartmoor Commoners' Council with support from the Duchy of Cornwall, Natural England, the RSPB, South West Water and the Ministry of Defence.

Tenants and landowners were offered greater responsibility for the design and delivery of 'agri-environment' agreements, rather than having officials dictate what should happen.

The aims were to protect the moor's archeology and clean water supplies, improve biodiversity while promoting profitable agriculture and sustainable tourism.

Farmers have used their understanding of the moor to identify the day to day management required to deliver the outcomes and put their proposals into practice.

They have monitored success through surveys and by commissioning expert studies.

Now a report commissioned by Natural England and DNPA suggests progress is being made.

Kevin Bishop, DNPA chief executive, said: 'Overall this report tells us that both commoners and the project partners are very positive regarding progress so far and we can be justly proud of what we've achieved since 2010.

'The commoners have been enabled to take more responsibility for the design and delivery of their agri-environment scheme agreements and the process has facilitated a closer working relationship amongst commoners, between commoners and partners, and amongst partners.'

Commoner Maurice Retallick, a DNPA member who farms below Haytor said: 'The programme gives farmers the opportunity to design grazing schemes suitable for their common and which take account of specific local circumstances rather than having to accept a one-size-fits-all approach imposed upon them.'

The report claimed the Dartmoor Farming Futures had the potential to make a difference elsewhere on Dartmoor and should be considered for inclusion in the Rural Development Programme for England 2014-2020.

Andy Guy of Natural England said: 'Although Dartmoor Farming Futures is still in its early stages, this new approach to collaborative working on Dartmoor seems to be already bringing some very positive and encouraging results.

'It certainly has great potential to be considered as the model for delivering similar benefits on commons as part of a future England-wide environmental land management scheme.'