Sir,
Farmers are playing their part in protecting the country’s hedgerows (Banquet for birds, The Garden, December 2011) and take their role as countryside managers very seriously.
There are some 515,000km of hedgerows across England and Wales with 41 per cent of those actively managed through agri-environment schemes.
It’s worth noting that according to Defra statistics, 82 per cent of farmers cut their hedges at specific times of the year (October-March) to avoid harming nesting birds. Almost half also adopt a two or three year cutting regime specifically to provide important nectar, berries and nuts for wildlife.
Alongside hedgerow management, farmers in England are growing wild bird seed mixtures on almost 30,000ha. These help provide an important food resource for birds, especially during the winter and early spring, when other food sources are sparse.
Farmers do and will continue to recognise their responsibility to protect and manage the countryside.
Claire Robinson
NFU acting countryside adviser
Agriculture House
Stoneleigh Park
Warwickshire
CV8 2TZ
02476 858 686
No comments have been made.