RSPB Call on Governments to Save Farmland Wildlife

Image by Steve Round

Disaster could be about to sweep Europe’s farmlands, after a deal was brokered that undermines those farmers who try to allow nature to nurture on their land. The RSPB are now calling on E.U. government officials to take a closer look at what they have agreed upon with the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), as it could push many species to the brink of extinction.

Farmers and their land play a key role in conserving wildlife both at home and abroad, but with planned reduced funding, many will not be able to afford this luxury. The RSPB is also concerned about the lack of funds available for ‘high nature value’ farming areas. Many of these farmers help to preserve threatened species and often working in some of the countries most iconic landscapes.

RSPB Conservation Director, Martin Harper, said –

The deal struck last week is likely to be disastrous for wildlife and the environment across Europe, and it is a poor use of precious public funding. The final deal has favoured vested interests and let down many of Europe’s most progressive farmers who have been working hard to make space for nature and the environment while producing food.

Certain species of British wildlife rely on our farmland to survive. Animals like the skylark, the brown hare and the brown hairstreak butterfly can only survive in specific rural areas of the country that may now be at risk due to the CAP’s annual 50 billion Euro budget being spent on other issues.

The recent State of Nature report showed that a massive 60% of UK species are reliant on farmland. Now is the time for Europe’s governments, particularly the British, to look at this agreement again before it is too late.

If you would like to help the RSPB, why not adopt an animal through our dedicated page? Your donations go a long way to helping the charity to continue their amazing work across the country to protect our most beautiful wildlife and their habitats.