A charity dedicated to protecting and enhancing Cumbria's landscapes has written to Defra to highlight the perilous future facing the county's upland farmers, and warn against cuts to agri-environment funding.

The letter from Friends of the Lake District calls for the agriculture budget to be increased to reflect the wide range of services that farming provides to society.

Doubling the agricultural budget will both incentivise nature-friendly farming and recognise the huge public value that the agricultural sector can provide for health and wellbeing, access and recreation, and cultural heritage, the charity says.

It adds that while there has been a reported underspend on agri-environment within Defra in recent years, this is because farmers have been reluctant to apply when there was so little detail on the range of new schemes and options available.

The charity is also calling for “simple schemes that pay on time” and support for commons and commoners in their letter. One third of all common land in England is found in Cumbria and, with their centuries-old traditions, they form a key part of the English Lake District World Heritage Site designation.

According to the Foundation for Common Land, upland commons stand to lose 80 per cent of their farm business income by 2028 with the phasing out of direct payments. Commoners are still waiting on specific options under ELMS.

Michael Hill, CEO of Friends of the Lake District, said: “Nature is in crisis, we’re living through a climate emergency, and we know the health benefits of getting out in the countryside. Here in Cumbria the answer to all those things lies with our farmers, because 75 per cent of our county is farmed land. In our letter we’re urging Defra to seize the opportunity and deliver a Budget that rewards upland hill farmers properly for the public benefits they provide, via simplified schemes which pay on time.”

Maddy Teasdale, from Ullswater Catchment Management CIC, who works with upland farmers and who is from a farming family herself, added: “Farmers want to boost biodiversity and nature recovery on their farms but need support and long-term business security to enable them to do this. Increased investment from Defra will ensure farmers can continue to farm productively, and in a nature-friendly way, to help protect our environment and landscapes for the future.”