Catchment Sensitive Farming (CSF) Commercial Market Study

In July 2015 Ministers asked for a review of the CSF project as part of Defra's commitment to Spending Review 2015 (SR15). The aim of the Review is to establish a future advisory service that works flexibly with the agricultural industry to address improvements to the environment: water, air and soils as well as delivering value for money, delivering more or better whilst living within the spending review settlement which will see grant in aid reduce. As part of this there is a need to consider whether the CSF Project could deliver and expand its current service through working more closely with the commercial sector. Aim - To test commercial revenue streams and other partnership opportunities with private sector companies for resourcing CSF products and services. Objectives - To assess and test the market for possible commercial opportunities for the CSF initiative in the future. - Engage with potential commercial interests to understand the ways in which the CSF advice could help influence their operations - Identify what are the supply chain needs from a future advice service - Test the appetite for paying for advice - What sort of advice would farmers be willing to pay for?