A PLANT which is lethal to sheep is spreading across the uplands of the North of England.

Bog Asphodel, a bright yellow plant, grows in boggy upland areas and has resulted in sheep and lambs having to be taken off some areas of fells when it presents the most danger.

Increased rainfall and grazing restrictions imposed by some agri-environment schemes have all been blamed for the plants spread which, when eaten, attacks the liver and causes a painful death.

John Bell, who farms in Upper Teesdale, told the recent NFU/Eblex Northern Uplands conference at Skipton, that there were three areas locally where the plant had caused sheep to be moved. He believed the practice of blocking moorland grips had helped the plant flourish.

Moorland gripping was widespread during the 1960s to the 1980s to drain wet areas of heath and blanket bog, but was later blamed for causing increased flooding and erosion by speeding rain run off. Grip blocking has since been encouraged and has led to the return of boggy areas and their specialist plants – including bog asphodel – as well as benefitting moorland birds and waders.

Mr Bell, who is part of a group of farmers in Upper Teesdale who Natural England are working with to try and build a high level of trust and understanding, said he believed the problem of bog asphodel needed tackling nationally.

The plant was also raised at a two day conference at Redworth hall, near Darlington, where farmers agreed to set up a hill farming forum that would provide a stronger voice for upland farming, showcase its benefits to society, and influence Government support.

Grazing restrictions imposed by Higher Level Stewardship were blamed for the plant taking over large areas of the uplands. It was hoped the forum would give farmers the opportunity to have more say in HLS and the chance to tackle such issues to benefit all.

The conference was organised by the Northern Upland Chain Local Nature Partnership (LNP) and was sponsored by Natural England. The LNP was formed in 2012, and now includes more than 50 organisations. It covers the Yorkshire Dales and Northumberland National Parks and the North Pennines, Nidderdale and Forest of Bowland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

It is working to promote "High Nature Value" (HNV) farming – looking how traditional farming systems can deliver environmental benefits more effectively while making the farm business more economically viable.

Helen Keep, senior farm conservation officer at the Yorkshire Dales National Park, said: “The idea for the forum developed from work the LNP has undertaken with four groups of farmers looking at the opportunities and costs of being a High Nature Value farmer within the uplands.There was a real desire from the farmers to work together to showcase the benefits that hill farming can bring to society and the environment.”

Richard Betton, Upper Teesdale farmer and LNP Board Member, said: “High Nature Value farming remains the best and only realistic way of maintaining some of this country’s most valuable landscapes – but things could be so much better.

"This event was about real sustainability — farmers getting their act together, and then collaborating in ways that will secure a more robust economic future for the low intensity, upland farming systems that are particularly valuable for wildlife, the environment and people.”

James Farrar, chief operating officer of the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “High Nature Value farming is an essential part of the distinctive economy of places like the Dales. We are committed to finding ways to help make these small businesses more profitable, while boosting the unique landscape and wildlife on which a multi-million pound tourism industry depends.”