THE true value of upland livestock farming is still not recognised nationally or internationally.

David Butterworth, chief executive of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, spoke out ahead of talks about reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (Cap).

There are fears that cuts in payments to farmers could force many to quit – a recent study said 25 per cent of farm households, mostly upland grazing farms, live below the poverty line.

Mr Butterworth’s comments are the latest in a succession of warnings from farming organisations and other bodies.

He said: “Ninety-nine per cent of the Yorkshire Dales National Park is in private ownership, so you don’t need to be a genius to work out the size of the contribution that farmers and landowners make to the conservation and enhancement of this jewel in England’s landscape.

“In addition, it is these areas that will be critical in the fight against climate change because they contain huge amounts of peat, which are vital stores of carbon.

“Managing this land well will make a major contribution to controlling carbon emissions, as well as improving water quality and the internationally-important wildlife of the area. If these giant ‘sponges’ of peat are well maintained, it might just help to prevent some of the terrible floods that have been seen in recent years in Boroughbridge and York.

“All of this is on top of the value of the wonderful produce that comes from these areas and the extraordinary contribution these landscapes make to the regional economy – 34,000 jobs in the Yorkshire region and £1.8bn of sales are directly dependent on the beauty of the farmed landscapes of the dales and moors.”

Mr Butterworth said the contribution of hill farmers must be taken into account in any discussions on Cap reform.

Caroline Spelman, Defra Secretary of State, recently called for an end to direct farm payments and rewards to farmers for their environmental efforts.