The Future of ELMS: What Farmers Need to Know

In this episode we are talking to Marek Nowakowski, Wildlife Expert and Consultant at Agrii.

Today we are near Bicester on farm and we are going to be talking about the new ELM scheme and what it means for our wildlife and what we need to do on our farms as farmers and growers in the UK. 

Understanding the Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELMS)

Being as honest as I can be, I am a little frustrated by how little we've learned over the last five to six years. I do see changes as necessary, but I would advise many farmers to stay within the existing mid-tier scheme because it is familiar, financially predictable, and structured.

The new mid-tier schemes now run for five years instead of ten, providing time to learn and assess ELMS before making any significant changes. Right now, it’s too early to judge ELMS properly, and I wouldn’t recommend farmers leap into the unknown.

The changes have been challenging for DEFRA, given they come off the back of leaving the EU and the decline of the Basic Payment Scheme. We are in a perfect storm. That’s why I advise sticking with what we know and focusing on the quality and type of habitat, as that’s what truly delivers biodiversity—regardless of whether it's through an old or new scheme.

Moving Away from Area-Based Payments

ELMS aims to be less punitive, with more support, training, and advice. It’s said that the days of harsh penalties are behind us, and we now have an opportunity to rethink our approach. However, the reality is that biodiversity has paid a high price for cheap food production. We need to find a way to balance food production with environmental conservation.

Currently, farmers can act on soil management within the Sustainable Farming Incentive, but beyond that, details remain unclear. The urgency to transition is growing, but we need clarity to make informed decisions.

Science vs. Commercial Opportunity in Policy Making

Having worked both as an agronomist and alongside environmental scientists, I see a gap forming where commercial interests are beginning to drive policy. This concerns me because if we move too quickly in a purely commercial direction without solid scientific backing, we risk heading the wrong way. We need to ensure that ELMS is built on sound scientific foundations rather than being purely dictated by market forces.

Practical Success Stories in Environmental Farming

One example is a farm coming out of the old Higher Level Stewardship scheme. The farmer wanted to transition into ELMS, but given the lack of available details, we opted for a mid-tier scheme. We selected habitats that best suited the farm and continued building on previous environmental efforts.

By doing this, the farm can continue to make improvements while waiting for more clarity from ELMS. This approach allows farmers to plan and budget effectively rather than jumping into a scheme with too many unknowns.

Managing Wildlife Like Crops

Farming wildlife is just like farming crops—it requires planning and management. A successful environmental scheme must be built on existing knowledge rather than reinventing the wheel. We need to make sure new schemes take into account lessons learned from past initiatives and adapt them to modern needs.

Encouraging Farmer Engagement Through Practical Steps

Farmers tend to resist jumping into the unknown. While DEFRA wants rapid adoption of ELMS, many farmers are opting for a five-year transition period under the old scheme while carefully assessing new options.

One farmer we worked with had an underutilised field corner. This particular area was sloped and south-facing, creating a natural habitat for insects due to its warmth and shelter. In previous schemes, wildflower corners were an option, but these have now been removed from the new framework.

Rather than forcing a one-size-fits-all approach, we should focus on habitat type and position rather than simply planting a wildflower mix. Working with the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, we are identifying specific flowers that support the insects needed to control crop pests. This means the right wildflowers can lead to both biodiversity gains and crop protection benefits—creating a win-win for farmers.

Financial and Environmental Benefits of Targeted Conservation

In past schemes, converting difficult-to-farm areas into wildlife habitats made financial sense. A farmer might receive £600 in grants per year for establishing a wildflower area while reducing operational costs associated with farming difficult land. Over five years, this becomes a viable financial decision.

Now, ELMS is asking farmers to integrate additional considerations, including carbon capture, soil health, water quality, and air quality. While these are all important, it’s a complex challenge to design habitats that meet all these criteria simultaneously.

DEFRA may need to refine its expectations, as there is no single habitat type that fits all these objectives. Wider field margins, for example, could play a significant role in water quality protection by preventing agricultural runoff. Meanwhile, reduced cultivations and regenerative agriculture are being increasingly recognised for their role in carbon sequestration.

Learning from Traditional Mixed Farming

Much of what is now called 'regenerative agriculture' mirrors the mixed farming systems of the late 1960s and early 1970s. There is great value in revisiting traditional knowledge and incorporating it into modern environmental schemes. Instead of reinventing everything from scratch, DEFRA could benefit from adapting past successful practices.

Final Thoughts

The ambition behind ELMS is significant, aiming to align with the UK's 25-year environmental plan. However, to be truly effective, it must offer clear financial incentives and practical implementation strategies for farmers.

For now, my recommendation remains to work within existing schemes where possible, observe developments in ELMS, and only transition once the details are clear. Farming is a long-term business, and successful environmental management needs to be built on both sound science and practical farming experience.