THE IMPACT OF ESAS ON LOWLAND FARMING

This paper focuses on the impact of the first and second round of ESAs on lowland farms in the UK, and looks in detail at a number of socioeconomic issues. Although farm incomes are generally enhanced, the impact upon farming practices and agricultural production is fairly limited except where arable land is converted to grass. The paper then considers the role of EASs within the general context of agricultural policy reforms, concluding that they are likely to remain important but that close attention is required to ensure that payments and prescriptions are kept in line with the general economic environment.