Farmers Want To Side Step Wildlife Issues

Secretary for the Environment, Hilary Benn, told farmers at the NFU conference in Birmingham, that a land set aside scheme, dropped by the EU two years ago, will be re-introduced in the UK, because the number of birds using farmland has decreased.

He will also consult further with farmers, as he believes that increased production and environmental paybacks can be achieved.

The NFU, on behalf of its members came out against these proposals.

President Peter Kendall said that farmers will lose money since no subsidies are expected for taking land out of production. He likened this to halting work in a factory.

The economy will suffer because of reduced food exports, while the emphasis should be on boosting the economy.

He believes that land under crops can bring environmental benefits if the government co-operates in achieving this.

Many farmers will delay environmental plans, including planting more hedgerows, if they are compelled to bring in set aside plans to qualify for subsidies, Mr. Kendall added.

Mr. Kendall pointed out that the British public would be likely to suffer higher prices when harvests are bad.

If more land is fallow, then prices will increase, as happened last year. These days, he said, we have to be more careful on environmental issues while producing more.

The European Union discarded set aside two years ago, reducing to zero the amount of land to be left fallow.

Higher world prices for food and flooding in many areas in summer caused this announcement.

The measure was first applied late in the ‘80s because an excessive supply of farm produce caused a steep drop in prices. Shortly after the EU decision, a survey showed that about 400.000 hectares of fallow land was reduced by half, causing much concern.

Last year Hilary Benn agreed with EU ministers that subsidies could be paid for bringing back land to be set aside.

Bird protection groups have welcomed the government’s move.

The RSPB said that almost 5% of uncultivated land is needed to help, for example the nesting of skylarks, to provide a safe haven from agricultural machinery and bird food.

The British Trust for Ornithology pointed out that birds have problems finding enough seeds after ploughing begins in February.

Linnets, yellowhammers, skylarks and stone curlews are monitored annually by the government. The RSPB believes that these species would endure problems without set aside.