Set-aside lifeline hauled back in

News from the RSPB site

The decision today to scrap a measure that has helped farmland birds across Europe will damn many species to further declines.

Numbers of skylarks, yellowhammers and linnets could plummet another five per cent now that the EU has abolished set-aside - a 19-year-old requirement for some fields on every arable farm to be left fallow.

Set-aside has been a boon for farmland birds whose populations have dropped by 40 per cent in the last 30 years.

Stone-curlews will be particularly at risk because many farmers have created nesting areas for them on set-aside.

http://www.rspb.org.uk/Images/stone-...tcm9-25226.jpg

Gareth Morgan, Head of Agriculture Policy at the RSPB, said: 'We're very disappointed with this decision particularly since nothing is being done to provide alternative benefits for wildlife.

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Thanks for that info Robert:)

Yes it's a great shame, fortunately in some areas of Europe like France, the farmers will still have set aside areas, as they need it for their game birds and this will have a knock on advantage for the general wildlife.

In the UK where space is at a premium, I think we can steel ourselves for declines in many species.

It is a shame I agree.
I have never seen a Stone-Curlew. They are semi-nocturnal and sit for hours very still are hard to locate and move forward in stealthy runs.
We also have very few coastal species left