MP supports farming in protected landscapes

South Shropshire MP Stuart Anderson is calling on the Government to extend a key farming support scheme set to end next year.

The Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) Programme is expected to close in March 2026, unless Government Ministers accept Stuart's request for an extension. In December, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs published a revised Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP).

Ministers have said that it sets an "ambitious five-year roadmap to tackle the nature and climate crisis, improve public health, and support sustainable growth." The Plan includes £500 million for Landscape Recovery projects that bring together farmers and land managers to restore nature at scale, creating wildlife-rich environments, reducing flood risk, and improving water quality.

However, it includes a 'convenience clause' which allows contracts to be terminated with only a year's notice. This has sparked concerns that it will lead to low take-up and uncertainty for farmers who wish to take part. The Plan also failed to provide certainty over Farming in Natural Landscapes (FiPL) Programme, which is due to expire at the end of March 2026 unless an extension is granted.

Since it opened in July 2021, the programme has supported hundreds of nature recovery projects that have enabled people to discover, enjoy, and understand natural landscapes and their cultural heritage. In Shropshire, over £3.1 million has been invested 200 farming projects which have helped to restore nature, tackle climate change, improve access, and made farming businesses more sustainable for the future.

Last year, Stuart secured a £30 million extension to the national programme, which has supported more than 330 farmers and land managers in South Shropshire alone. In April, Stuart called for the programme to be placed on a permanent footing in recognition of its crucial role in restoring nature, tackling climate change, improving access, and making farming businesses more sustainable. He backed calls from the National Landscapes Association to make the programme a mainstream part of DEFRA's budget, with permanent roles for land management advice to scale-up successful farming models.

In a recent written parliamentary question, Stuart asked the Environment Secretary to increase support available for the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme. However, a response from the Nature Minister Mary Creagh confirmed that the programme is due to end March 2026. The Minister added that decisions on the future of the programme would be made as part of "departmental business planning".

This is despite the recent publication of evidence, promoting the programme's huge success including:

• 237,000 trees planted to support biodiversity and landscape resilience
• 716 ponds created or restored to support wetland habitats and wildlife
• 781 projects to protect and improve rivers, streams and other water bodies
• 362 kilometres of new hedgerows planted, equivalent to a hedgerow from Oxford to Newcastle
• 103 kilometres of new permissive access paths created, roughly the length of the Cotswolds from north to south
• over 2,000 schools engaged
• 362 heritage assets protected, including 181 scheduled monuments
• 33 kilometres of traditional dry-stone walls restored
• 97 new farm groups created and 179 existing groups strengthened
• more than 1,300 projects to help reduce flood risk and protect communities 

Much of South Shropshire is designated as a 'Natural Landscape', formerly known as an 'Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty'. The designation provides extra protection for areas like the Long Mynd, Stiperstones, Clee Hills, and Wenlock Edge.

Stuart has added that national landscapes like the Shropshire Hills are major contributors towards the rural economy. They generate at least £36 billion from 245 million visitors who visit them each year. Stuart has made the request as part of his campaign to protect the countryside in South Shropshire. This seeks to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the area for the long term.

Stuart said that an extension would also contribute towards his plan to champion local farmers. As part of this, Stuart wants to deliver the funding and support that will give our farmers the confidence they need to thrive. It follows Stuart's recent request to ensure that uplands farmers can access the government's farming support schemes, including the new Sustainable Farming Incentive that is due to soon be announced.

Stuart Anderson MP said: "South Shropshire is one of the most beautiful places in the country. Our countryside is cherished by us all and must be protected. This must be our united starting point. So, it is greatly disappointing that the Farming in Protected Landscapes programme is due to end March 2026. This is despite a recent statement celebrating the impact of the programme, including its help for more than 240 farmers and land managers in the Shropshire Hills to restore nature, tackle climate change, improve access, and made farming businesses more sustainable for the future. The Government has also included a 'convenience cause' in its Landscape Recovery Programme, allowing contracts to be terminated with only a year's notice. This has sparked concerns that it will lead to low take-up and uncertainty for farmers who wish to take part."