Known as ‘Exmoor’s Ambition’, the proposal is a concept for sustaining and enhancing Exmoor’s farmed landscape and communities after Brexit.
During the visit, Mr Gove toured two farms championing the proposal and met representatives from the Exmoor Hill Farming Network and Exmoor National Park Authority, who have been instrumental in developing the new concept.
Mr Gove, said: “I was delighted to meet farmers in Exmoor who share our ambitious and positive outlook on the future for farming.
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“The contributions of Exmoor Ambition and other groups are hugely valuable as we plan new environmental land management schemes to be piloted when we leave the EU.”
The Secretary of State’s programme included a visit to Cloggs Farm, where sixth generation farmer David Bawden showed him how the new concept could benefit farmers as well as nature.
He explained a system that rewards those using land-management practices that are proven to help conserve and enhance the countryside. It is hoped this will mean more wildflowers, more wildlife, more scenic beauty and more produce.
Mr Bawden is just one of the 30 Exmoor farmers who want to trial the new “good farming measures” and “enhanced benefits” that the proposal provides, including detailed costings.
Dave Knight, chairman of the Exmoor Hill Farming Network, introduced Mr Gove to a number of other Exmoor hill farmers who are primed to start work on the trial.
“Normally, farmers are hesitant to make the sort of changes that Exmoor’s Ambition is proposing,” he said.
“But because this has been a farmer-based approach, backed by the National Park Authority and the local community, we have got a groundswell of local farming support for this initiative. We cannot wait to get going”.