MORE than 60 farmers attended the Dartmoor Farmers' Forum recently to hear up-dates from Dartmoor National Park Authority, Natural England and the South West Regional Development Agency and to identify issues of concern to them.

Bill Hitchins, chairman of the national park authority, said: 'We established the Farmers' Forum in 2007 to ensure that we have a mechanism for regular communication with the farming community.  

'It is open to all farmers who have land within the National Park.  We have used the Forum to identify issues, help shape priorities and to work in partnership with the farming community.  

'Despite the spectre of severe cuts to our budget we are committed to prioritising work to promote sustainable farming systems on Dartmoor.'

Maurice Retallick, deputy chairman of the national park authority, who chaired a question and answer session at the end of the evening, said: 'The discussion has shown a need and willingness to improve understanding and trust between the agencies and the farmers, simplify processes and involve farmers in identifying solutions.

'The Dartmoor Farming Futures initiative and the Hill Farm Project are good examples of practical partnership working.'

Farmers received an up-date on the Dartmoor Farming Futures initiative — a project to involve farmers in designing and monitoring agri-environment schemes in two pilot areas on Dartmoor.  

It was developed in response to concerns raised at previous forum meetings, and in discussion with the Dartmoor Commoners' Council, about the long-term viability of hill farming.

The clear message was that most farmers wanted to be part of the process of designing solutions rather than just receiving funds and this is the principle focus of the Farming Futures project — to empower farmers to design and deliver agri-environment schemes.  

It is a partnership project involving the public, private and voluntary sectors (the national park authority, Dartmoor Commoners' Council, Duchy of Cornwall, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, South West Water, Defence Estates and Natural England).

At the meeting, Christine Malseed, Dartmoor Hill Farm Project manager, outlined the services provided by the team which include business advice, support with funding issues and development of funding bids.

Christine confirmed that five Dartmoor projects have already received funding through the RDPE (Rural Development Programme England).  

She explained that the team are currently working on a project to purchase co-operative mobile handling units for sheep and cattle; a project to develop a series of farm events for the public under the working title 'Dartmoor on Your Doorstep' and to get value for Dartmoor farmers from the South West Healthy Livestock.

Mat Carter, Natural England's area manager, gave a presentation on the current situation regarding funding for agri-environment schemes.  He said Dartmoor National Park remains a priority for agri-environment schemes.