Policy Integration for Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes: Taking Stock of UK Policy and Practice

Dwyer, Janet C ORCID: 0000-0002-2332-9832 (2014) Policy Integration for Sustainable Agricultural Landscapes: Taking Stock of UK Policy and Practice. Landscape Research, 39 (2). pp. 174-189. doi:10.1080/01426397.2013.784245

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Abstract

This paper examines English experience with agri-environment schemes as a tool to promote sustainable landscapes. Evidence is drawn from policy and academic literature and selected recent research. Performance is assessed by reference to key notions of sustainable landscapes: spatial coherence, functionality and socio-cultural meaning. Whilst now widespread across England and well-supported by the environmental community, agri-environment schemes suffer from weaknesses in design and delivery including insensitivity to the evolving needs and concerns of farming businesses, the wider policy context, and thereby to the integrity of the landscape. An upland case study illustrates problems of poor communication and advice, narrow and inconsistent delivery, and under-recognition of social issues which together work against more sustainable agricultural landscapes. In the context of emerging EU and global challenges, a shift of emphasis towards systemic approaches, developed territorially in partnership with farmers, is needed. Emerging non-policy innovations and new initiatives may offer lessons for an improved approach.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Additional Information:	This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Landscape Research on April 30th 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/01426397.2013.784245.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Agri-environment; Policy evaluation; Sustainable agricultural landscapes; Policy design and delivery; New collaborative approaches
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S589.7 Agricultural ecology (General)
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Research Priority Areas:	Place, Environment and Community
Depositing User:	Susan Turner
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2016 13:36
Last Modified:	04 Feb 2022 09:46
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/3807

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