Sir,
In your article ‘National Parks: where our wildlife goes to die’ it is incredibly disappointing – and frustrating - to read such an outdated view of farming; one that does not recognise the integral role farmers play in shaping the cherished landscapes we see and enjoy in our National Parks today.
It is wrong to suggest farmers are encouraged to intensify and use chemicals, in fact it is quite the opposite. Our National Parks are home to thousands of farms which graze cattle and sheep on extensive grasslands, turning inedible grass into high-quality food for the nation. They are passionate custodians of the countryside, with most in government agri-environment schemes helping to create habitats for birds and wildlife.
Just this week new results for the 2019 Big Farmland Bird Count showed that farmers in total recorded over 330,000 birds across 140 species on their farms, including a total of 30 red-listed species.
Farmers and environmentalists all share the same ambition: to value and safeguard our heritage and iconic landscapes. The NFU and its members have led the way with initiatives such as Championing the Farmed Environment, which promotes good environmental management through productive farming practices.
I would invite the RSPB to join these initiatives and work with farmers to achieve positive outcomes for our shared environment, all while providing the nation with safe, traceable and affordable food.