CONCLUSION

The aim of the project is to prove that Biodiversity Recovery is possible on arable farmland while still producing 90% food production. Peppering is one of the most successful projects of its kind in Europe and it has the full support of DEFRA, Natural England and the South Downs National Park.  Indeed, it is helping to influence Government policy on the structure of grant aid for farmers going forwards as the basic payment scheme is reduced to zero by 2027 when it will be replaced by the Environmental Management System.

Dr Dick Potts sadly died in 2017 and his health was failing before then. This paper summarises his detailed counts of the Flora and Fauna at Peppering for the period 2003 — 2014 when he was fully active. Peppering continues to be a successful Biodiversity Recovery Project and detailed counting will resume in 2024.