Your Letters: Answers must be found if commoning is to survive on New Forest
It is fitting the A&T gave such prominence to observations by the chair of the Commoners’ Defence Association about the challenges for New Forest commoning (A&T, 14th Feb). Mr Parry-Norton is sharply aware of implications for the Forest of national policy changes currently in train.
The former Conservative government’s Agricultural Transition Plan 2021-24, introduced as mere policy evolution, in fact is revolution. Not since the 1930s will farmers have no protection should prices received for their products fall unacceptably low. The Basic Payments Scheme will end in 2027, annual reductions in funds accelerated under Labour’s autumn 2024 budget. Environmental Land Management schemes (ELMs) are now the funding priority, potentially offering farmers more secure income streams. As the title indicates, focus is now on paying farmers’ for contributing to meet environmental objectives. Support for agricultural commodity production is confined to aspects of technical help.
New Forest commoners are well-placed to exploit new opportunities, but not from business as usual. In national perspective, the New Forest is unimportant for agricultural production except in one vital respect: commoners’ animal production sustains so many qualities that make the Forest unique – its characteristic landscape, exceptional biodiversity, access to people as a place for relaxation and recreation. In short, the Forest contributes substantially to people’s wellbeing.
The examples given are of ‘public goods’, so typically without a market price. But no price does not mean without value. The New Forest is not a free resource. Maintaining, preferably enhancing, its special qualities – especially in the face of climate change – is substantially the role of commoners. They need payment for what they do, their resources must be paid for. Commoners must earn a living, in whole or in part, as they look after the Forest for everyone.
In future, commoners should see themselves primarily as environmental land managers, less so farmers. Suitably designed, ELMs are the route to maintaining commoning for the future. But there are challenges. An increasingly cash-strapped government looks to minimise Exchequer support. The private sector is expected to step up and make its own financial contribution. How is that to be done? That is the question to be addressed by all who work, live in, and visit the Forest. The future of the New Forest, and its commoners, depends on finding workable answers to it.
Dr Keith Howe
Senior research fellow, University of Exeter
