On Monday 16 June, EFG hosted the latest Hampshire Avon Members’ Meeting to share key updates. There was a good turnout at West Barn Lodge, Fovant, for an early Monday morning meeting, with strong questions following the presentation, sparking some interesting discussions. It was wonderful to see so many EFG Members there, as well as some new faces interested in Membership.
The key updates from the meeting were:
- EFG continues to represent Members’ interests at the highest levels. We have responded to a Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) consultation and call for evidence, and attended the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) discussions to raise our message in policy decision-making. A paper has been published discussing farm profitability and cooperative groups. We have also engaged with ministers at a farm walk at the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust’s (GWCT) Allerton Project and two Westminster roundtables. This highlights how EFG’s voice to government is growing, to influence the future of natural capital markets and, eventually, the British countryside landscape.
- Colin Smart, EFG Director, announced our corporate partnerships with Kubota, the UK’s leading engine manufacturer for ground care equipment, mini excavators and agricultural tractors, and NFU Mutual, the largest farm insurance company.
- Stephen Bartlett, Local Officer for Hampshire Avon, provided a Membership update for the group which now comprises 81 Members and 18 expressions of interest, managing over 36,800ha and 6,000ha respectively. So, they now cover 25% of the Hampshire Avon water catchment area. Nationally, EFG’s reach has grown to over 340,000ha.
- Tom Vacher, Natural Capital Advisory’s Commercial Officer, then gave an update on natural capital trading. EFG now has a total of a dozen trades agreed, including five BNG projects in development nationally, and is currently scoping two BNG watercourse projects. This will lead to equalisation income for Hampshire Avon members and demonstrates the growing success of the EFG model.
- EFG has launched its Environmental Delivery Programme to help Members meet national biodiversity and climate targets. The programme involves creating Conservations Plans for each water catchment, ensuring that each Member’s individual environmental plans align with both national targets and local management plans. Teresa Dent CBE, EFG Director, and Dr Francis Buner, Head of Wildlife Recovery at the GWCT, spoke on the Hampshire Avon’s Catchment Conservation Plan. Already, 46 EFG farmers have committed to over 2,300ha of additional habitat creation, demonstrating leadership in nature recovery.
- EFG reaffirmed its aim of net-zero carbon food production by 2040, with two ongoing carbon-focused projects, and showcased progress in water quality improvements, supported by Southern Water and Rothamsted Research. A farm-scale modelling project is underway in the Chalke Valley, using data from participating farms to assess biodiversity, carbon storage, and nutrient impact, paving the way for science-based land management. These projects emphasise the importance of farmers to tackle the environmental challenges we all face.