BESTMAP is delighted to share that the project’s coordinator, Prof Guy Ziv, has been invited by the United Kingdom’s government to serve as a member of the Environmental Land Management Modelling Expert Panel (MEP). 

The Environmental Land Management programme is the cornerstone of the UK’s new agricultural policy. Founded on the principle of public money for public goods, it aims to achieve the goals of the 25 Year Environment Plan and commitment to net zero emissions by 2050, while supporting the rural economy.

The MEP is an advisory body to the E.L.M Modelling sub-group, which governs the programme’s Modelling Strategy, and will support the programme in providing cross-disciplinary scrutiny over methods used in scoping and developing E.L.M models. Additionally, it is ensuring the quality, rigour and relevance of the E.L.M modelling design, delivery and evaluation.

Prof Ziv has been selected for this role in recognition of his coordination of BESTMAP and his broader expertise on the Common Agricultural Policy. Via this panel, he will provide independent review and scrutiny of the UK government’s Modelling Strategy and recommendations to inform modelling decisions. The MEP includes 11 academics from across the United Kingdom, and will meet regularly with DEFRA E.L.M Modelling team, approximately until 2023.