THE National Trust has pledged to work in partnership with farmers to build a ‘bright’ post-Brexit future in which upland hill farming can thrive, nature can be revived, and cultural heritage is protected in some of Britain’s most beautiful landscapes.

In a speech to the Uplands Alliance at Newton Rigg College, Penrith, Helen Ghosh, the director general of the trust, said livestock farming would continue to be at the heart of the charity’s plans for managing upland areas, and that its tenant farmers were essential partners in helping to restore the health of the natural environment.

Hill farming in the UK is facing a complex set of challenges, with uncertainty over the future of the £3bn-worth of EU subsidies, pressure on incomes and declining wildlife, falling soil quality and increased flood risks in many areas.

The trust has called for the current ‘broken’ model for funding farming to be reformed after Brexit, with farmers receiving taxpayers’ money for improving the environment and helping wildlife - rather than being paid for owning land.

Helen said: “While there are some big challenges and - yes, threats - I am much more in the camp that believes that there is an unprecedented opportunity for the uplands post-Brexit.

“If we work together we can grab the chance to make their future more sustainable than it has ever been. Reliance on CAP subsidy as now is not the future. But the opportunities are there, we believe, for the uplands to take advantage of new income streams – alongside maintaining some core public financial support – which deliver the benefits that the public want and the nation needs.”

The trust said it was exploring a number of areas aimed at helping to secure a sustainable economic future for upland farming and would be setting out its thoughts for discussion with farmers and other partners in spring. These ideas include:

lFocusing on the production of high quality, grass fed livestock, and commanding higher prices for the meat through effective marketing with other partners. This could help farmers become ‘price makers rather price takers.’

lTaking advantage of new and emerging revenue streams in the uplands for services such as the provision of slow, clean water, tourism, absorbing and storing carbon; and producing renewable energy.

lInvesting in new and re-invigorating existing schemes that create pathways for new entrants into farming.

lExploring how the heritage of upland areas could receive public funding to recognise its wider cultural significance.

lDrawing up local plans for estates in collaboration farmers which have nature, entrepreneurship and the production of quality food at their heart.

The charity said its long-term ambition of helping to reverse the alarming decline in nature would only succeed by working, listening and developing plans with farmers.

“Farmers are the essential partners in reaching our ambitions and they have the skills and understanding that we need," she said. "They are already delivering great results for nature and landscape alongside producing high quality food. We are committed to drawing on all that experience and sharing the best practical examples.”