SPECIALIST advisors in Gloucestershire are being reminded to become part of a register to allow farmers and land managers to access expert advice when needed. 

BASIS Environmental Advisors Register and FWAG South West worked together on a funded farm advice pilot to look in depth at farm advice in the area.

The register provides professional recognition for the role of the advisor in working with farm businesses to achieve environmental outcomes. 

A spokesperson for BASIS said that working with a specialist advisors is 'vital'. 

"Managing the farmed landscape to both produce food and deliver for the environment has never been more important - for food security; to meet to meet government targets for biodiversity, water quality, woodland planting, and net zero," they said.

"Also from a business point of view with being able to ensure maximum environmental potential from the farm, but also for you and the local community with the joy of seeing a new species flourishing, soil organic matter levels increasing, and your margins buzzing with pollinators.

"Every farmer and land manager has a huge amount of knowledge to draw from to manage and enhance the farmed landscape and achieve their own, local and national ambitions.

"However, working with specialist advisers often enables increased knowledge about a particular habitat or species, the use of expertise and experience to put together options or manage habitats, and to enjoy sharing in the successes between adviser and farmer from the introduction of new practices."

The register is for those offering environmental advice within a farm business across the county and can include topics such as: 

  • Biodiversity
  • Air
  • Climate
  • Energy and productivity knowledge
  • Plant health
  • Livestock
  • Nutrients
  • Soil
  • Water
  • Woodland
  • The historic environment
  • And more...

Advisers joining the register will need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of environmental land management by either completing a qualification to entry, the Certificate in Sustainable Land Management, or by applying for acquired rights based on the significant experience they have gained whilst working in the industry.

Members on the register will also be able to appear in an online 'find an advisor' tool, which allows farmers, land managers and advisors to find expertise on a particular subject. 

The spokesperson for BASIS added: "If you are providing environmental advice in Gloucestershire or working with an adviser on your farm, all are welcome to join the register. 

"The aim of the register is to create a new standard for integrated advice delivery and support farmers and land managers in enabling sustainable, productive, and profitable farming businesses, while delivering against county and national environmental ambitions."

To apply to join visit https://basis-reg.co.uk/environmental-advisers/becoming-a-member.