East of England Grazing Exchange/Grazing Forum
The East of England has seen a continued decline in livestock numbers over recent years. This is having a negative effect on how grassland, heaths, commons, and marshes are managed. These areas support habitats of high environmental importance; many are SSSIs and BAP priorities.
They are also an important asset to the economic and social sustainability of the region by providing highlights of landscape quality and accessible green space which are used by local communities and visitors to the region.
Therefore it is very important that remaining areas are safeguarded. However they exist mostly as small and scattered remnants of formerly more extensive habitats in a region which is now dominated by arable cropping. Many are divorced from mainstream agricultural management on surrounding arable land, are low in agricultural productivity and with difficult terrain.
The cost of management to achieve optimal environmental condition can be high. The declining profitability of livestock farming also increases the difficulty of maintaining appropriate management.
Published reports
For more information about the project please contact:
Hannah Thacker
Tel: 0300 060 4528
Email: hannah.thacker@naturalengland.org.uk
