London Farming
Farming in London’s Green Belt
Mark Holmes
www.adas.co.uk
Farming in London’s Green Belt
Background to farming in London’s Green Belt Farmers future confidence and challenges Opportunities / barriers and solutions
1
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005 Examined current farming activity in London and future activity, completed in May 2005 Investigated London farmers connection to local supply chains Investigated farmers future intention
Farmers’ Voice
Farmers’ Voice is an annual ADAS survey of attitudes & opinions among farmers in England & Wales January 2008 2,310 replies received robust findings to give farmers the opportunity to have their say to inform policy makers and decision makers at national and regional level
2
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005
Examined farming within the M25 including all 33 London boroughs To increase sample added next concentric layer just outside the M25 Used 2003 Agricultural Census data (For this presentation updated maps using 2005 data) Consultation with sector via telephone & postal survey, focus groups, one to one interviews
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005
2003 Agricultural Census data 423 holdings 0.25 % of all holdings in England Total land managed 13,608 Hectares Of this area about half is rented and the other half owner occupied Farms range in size from 0-20 ha to those larger than 200 ha Less than 10% of the land was organic Contribution excluding diversified activity at 2005 prices is less than £8 million
3
Arable Crops in London
4
Grassland in London
5
Farming within London 2005 Study
The amount of permanent pasture in relation to the amount of stock suggests that a large amount has been given over to equine use Many of the livestock farmers have reduced numbers in recent years mainly due to the lack of infrastructure (access to abattoirs, markets and problems of farming on the urban fringe (dogs etc..)
Horticultural Crops in London 2005
6
Mark Holmes
www.adas.co.uk
Farming in London’s Green Belt
Background to farming in London’s Green Belt Farmers future confidence and challenges Opportunities / barriers and solutions
1
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005 Examined current farming activity in London and future activity, completed in May 2005 Investigated London farmers connection to local supply chains Investigated farmers future intention
Farmers’ Voice
Farmers’ Voice is an annual ADAS survey of attitudes & opinions among farmers in England & Wales January 2008 2,310 replies received robust findings to give farmers the opportunity to have their say to inform policy makers and decision makers at national and regional level
2
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005
Examined farming within the M25 including all 33 London boroughs To increase sample added next concentric layer just outside the M25 Used 2003 Agricultural Census data (For this presentation updated maps using 2005 data) Consultation with sector via telephone & postal survey, focus groups, one to one interviews
Farming in London’s Green Belt Study 2005
2003 Agricultural Census data 423 holdings 0.25 % of all holdings in England Total land managed 13,608 Hectares Of this area about half is rented and the other half owner occupied Farms range in size from 0-20 ha to those larger than 200 ha Less than 10% of the land was organic Contribution excluding diversified activity at 2005 prices is less than £8 million
3
Arable Crops in London
4
Grassland in London
5
Farming within London 2005 Study
The amount of permanent pasture in relation to the amount of stock suggests that a large amount has been given over to equine use Many of the livestock farmers have reduced numbers in recent years mainly due to the lack of infrastructure (access to abattoirs, markets and problems of farming on the urban fringe (dogs etc..)
Horticultural Crops in London 2005
6