We’re pleased to provide some headline updates of EFG activity from the past few months.
Major phosphate supply registered
EFG Member Longford Estate has successfully registered a significant phosphate mitigation project in the Hampshire Avon, which is now live and supplying up to 1,113kg phosphate credits to developments south of Salisbury.
Nine trades agreed
EFG has recently agreed a total of nine trades in the Hampshire Avon and Test & Itchen areas, which will generate equalisation payments for Members in these areas. This will include 2025 members.
Work on Conservation Plans launched
With the support of GWCT and George Prior-Palmer, we have started work on our conservation plans. The first step is to complete 1-1 farm plans with all EFG Members in Hampshire Avon, Test & Itchen, Dorset and the Isle of Wight to map where farmers could deliver natural capital projects on their farm. So far we have completed 33 farm plans where over 1,600ha of land has been put forward by Members for environmental delivery. A similar process is taking place in Northern Lincs for those involved in the NEIRF Carbon Baselining project.
Local teams up and running
We are delighted to have three new regional officers in place with Martha Hayes in Northern Lincs, Steven Bartlett in Test & Itchen and Hampshire Avon, and Robyn Munt on the Isle of Wight. Their roles will focus on local activity by increasing farmer membership whilst working to strengthen relationships with potential sources of trade. Martha will also be working with the main EFG team to build our communications.
Ministerial Visit & EFRA meetings
We continue to represent our members through policy engagement with a ministerial visit by Mary Creagh and Daniel Zeichner, as well as EFG attendance at the Houses of Parliament for a roundtable meeting on the Land Use Framework. EFG’s clear messages to government are:
- Let farmers design environmental delivery on their farm with the support of advisors.
- Let policy incentivise land use objectives through the public or private purse.
- Policy leverage is needed now to stimulate demand in natural capital markets.
WhatsApp communications
We recognise that our communications to date with Members has not been as strong as it could be. Martha is building a new comms approach with additional support coming onboard later this year. This will include utilising WhatsApp group announcements to update on trade opportunities and events. For farmers in the Test & Itchen area, a pilot WhatsApp group is up and running now. If this is relevant to you, please request to join using this link.
Expansion into North York Moors
Having received a grant through the FiPL fund we are now able to scope for a new EFG group in the North York Moors area. On this basis we have already received Expressions of Interest from farmers covering 40,000ha in this area. We had two successful prospective member meetings in February with over 100 combined attendees, and the steering group is currently looking for further opportunities to fund the group and to recruit a local officer. Membership in this area is predicted to open in 2026.
Projects update
The EFG Woodland Carbon project is coming to a close with 19 farms potentially providing 478ha for Woodland Carbon Code projects. We have engaged with Thrings Solicitors to help create commercial structure for selling Woodland Carbon Units through EFG.
The Northern Lincs Carbon project has completed 16 carbon emissions baselines and a further 15 carbon sequestration baselines. Farmer 1-1s have also begun to map individual farm plans for the conservation plan, and EFG has engaged with Greater Lincolnshire Council and Future Humber to attract corporate buyers.
Website update
You may have noticed that our website has had a much-needed update. Whilst further changes are scheduled, you will hopefully now find the site easier to navigate. For EFG members, a reminder of the huge array of resources available to you in the website’s ‘Knowledge Hub’. If you have forgotten your login details, please get in touch. Recent resources include a useful explainer doc on BNG, podcasts on topics such as the woodland carbon code, and webinar recordings and videos covering a wide range of subjects on natural capital, farming and the environment.
We would welcome any feedback for ideas of webinar topics going forward. Please email mhayes@gwct.org.uk with any suggestions.