The Exmoor Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA)

The Exmoor ESA has been designated because of the variety and richness of its landscape and wildlife. It is centred on open heather and grass moors which represent one of the largest areas of such wild landscape in Southern England and provide a habitat for many rare birds as well as a large red deer population. The moorland is dissected by steep-sided and wooded river valleys, fringed by enclosed grassland fields surrounded by high beech hedges and bordered on the north by coastal heath. There are also archaeological sites dating from the last century. The Exmoor ESA includes the whole of the National Park together with adjoining areas of similar character.

The character of the area has developed as a result of traditional upland livestock farming but changes in farming practices have threatened and continue to threaten that character. In particular, agricultural improvement and overgrazing are leading to a decline in the areas of unimproved grassland, heather moorland and other semi-natural habitats and the network of well-maintained beech hedges is also being lost in places.

If you enter the scheme you will be expected to farm in sympathy with the special environment of the Exmoor ESA. In particular, you should abide by the Codes of Good Agricultural practice published by the Ministry as well as following certain guidelines. The guidelines describe in detail what you will be asked to do if you enter a 10 year ESA management agreement and why. The Exmoor ESA has two tiers of entry. Each tier requires different agricultural practices which you will be expected to follow. All your land must be entered into Tier 1; entry into Tier 2, which requires more from you with the aim of achieving greater environmental benefits, is at the Ministry's discretion. The guidelines also include a full description of a voluntary access tier and those items which are eligible for inclusion in a conservation plan should you decide to adopt one.