CLA welcome State of nature report but say it’s wrong to blame farmers
23rd May 2013
60% of species are in decline' said the report, for a number of reasons, including farming activities and pollutants.
The CLA said today (23 May) it is wrong to place the blame on farmers for the loss of wildlife - in response to the newly released conservation report State of Nature.
The Association said the findings of the report would surprise farmers who have worked hard to improve farming practices and enhance the environment.
CLA President Harry Cotterell said: "Farmers have made a huge effort both voluntarily and through agri-environment schemes to encourage wildlife populations to grow.
"More than two-thirds of farmland is now managed under environmental schemes. It is unfair to blame farmers when there are so many other contributing factors such as climate change, urbanisation and predation."
Mr Cotterell welcomed Natural Environment Minister Richard Benyon's comments at the launch of the report last night that "we must start paying for our natural world rather than take for granted what we get from it".
The CLA President said: "The Minister's statement was welcome, but we address how farmers will be able to afford to do environmental management work as CAP support falls."
See our news report on the release of the State of Nature report HERE
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