Inside Ecology reviews Ploughing a New Furrow – A Blueprint for Wildlife-Friendly Farming, by Malcolm Smith (published by Whittles Publishing, 2018)…
Malcolm Smith’s book arrives at a critical time – farming is on the cusp of a new era in light of Brexit, creating what Smith calls in his introduction, “an unprecedented and unpredictable opportunity to look anew at what the four nations of the UK – both their publics and their governments – want from our farmers.”
The book provides an intelligent and thorough walk-through of the issues surrounding farming and wildlife. Beginning with a historical overview of farming practices in the UK and the huge impact this has had on the landscape and its wildlife, through to the more recent background of farming in the context of the depleting effects of the substantial payments made under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the effects of the widespread use of insecticides and pesticides.
Whilst there are some farmers working hard to balance nature conservation and farming practices, supported financially by agri-environment schemes, there are not enough of these to make a significant difference. Through the course of the book, Smith visits a number of these farmers, taking a detailed look at the efforts they are making to support wildlife (pollinators, plants, farmland birds and soils).
Smith’s writing style is engaging. The subject matter is successfully brought to life through his narrative and it is clear that he is well-versed in the issues through actual experience, rather than being an armchair commentator. Nor does Smith shy away from looking at controversial issues, such as badger culling in relation to tuberculosis in cattle, genetically modified crops and rewilding.
The book’s final chapter focuses on the possible options for farming, post Brexit; including, the case for removing or capping subsidies and different methods of farming – proposing policy changes “to make the 70% of our land that farming occupies rich in wildlife again”.
About the Author: Malcolm Smith is a biologist, former Chief Scientist and Deputy Chief Executive and The Countryside Council for Wales and has been a Member of the Board of The Environment Agency (for England and Wales).
Book review written by Kate Priestman (CEnv, MCIEEM), Co-Founder of Inside Ecology.
