Nine thousand farmers in the Severn Trent region are being offered match funding of up to £30,000 to encourage environmentally friendly farming practices and protect water quality.
The move aims to reduce agricultural carbon emissions by at least 20 per cent and is part of four programmes to enhance 62,000ha of land, including Severn Trent’s Trees for Water project which will pay for tree planting and maintenance on agricultural land over 35 years.
It delivers on Severn Trent's Get River Positive commitments to support others to protect and enhance river quality.
Liv Garfield, Severn Trent CEO, said: “We’re passionate about making a positive impact on our communities and the environment where we live and work. We’re investing £100m a year as part of our Get River Positive commitments to go even further in improving rivers so that nature can continue to thrive.
"One of our five Get River Positive pledges is to ‘support others to improve and care for rivers’. Agriculture and land management are the biggest contributors to rivers not achieving good ecological status. As such, we are redoubling our efforts to help farmers have more resources and financial support to care for rivers.”
As part of its Get River Positive commitment to protect rivers and the environment, Severn Trent has launched the new package to encourage regenerative farming practices.
“Funding for investments to improve water quality, tree planting and provision of green financing will be made available to incentivise regenerative farming practices.” Liv added.
Looking to reach as many farmers as possible across the region, Severn Trent is confident the package will be welcomed.
Warwickshire-based farm manager, Martin Downes, explains that he has been working with the company for several years, using Severn Trent Environmental Protection Scheme (STEPS) funding to protect the environment.
“I’m already using regenerative methods, but with the right funding in place, I’d definitely consider turning more of our conventional practices to regenerative alternatives.
“Given my stress-free and straightforward experiences of applying for STEPS grants, and my great relationship with my Severn Trent agricultural adviser, I’m looking forward to understanding how the new package will continue to support our farming business” Martin added.
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