Every year the Welsh Government spends approximately £80 million of taxpayer’s money, on an scheme called Glastir to halt the loss of farmland and woodland wildlife.
The model is very simple; farmers receive annual payments in return for managing their land in ways intended to benefit nature and the wider environment.
However despite this investment in nature, much of our precious wildlife continues to decline. As highlighted in the recent State of Nature report, current efforts are not enough to reverse the loss of wildlife in the Welsh countryside.
Unless we take action to stop this loss now, much of our wonderful wildlife like the red squirrel, greater horseshoe bat, marsh fritillary butterfly and scarce arable plants will be nothing but memories for most of us.
So what is the cause of the ongoing declines? Is it the fault of farmers?
The simple answer is no. Thousands of farmers have joined Glastir in the belief their efforts will benefit nature. I know many farmers are as disappointed, if not more so, as the rest of us that despite all of their hard work the wildlife living on their land is still vanishing.
I have not met a farmer who does not lament the loss of the Curlew or Lapwing from their farm and does not want them back.
So where are we going wrong?
Glastir is the Welsh Government’s main tool for halting the decline of farmland and woodland wildlife, currently there are fundamental failings in the design and delivery of Glastir meaning there is no guarantee wildlife will be provided with everything it needs to thrive.
Nature has a number of basic requirements to flourish; Yellowhammers for example need thick hedgerows or scrubby areas to nest in, seeds for the adults and insects for the chicks during the breeding season plus a source of seeds, such as cereal stubble throughout the winter months.
A failure to provide any one of these basic requirements will lead to the eventual loss of the species. In its current form Glastir does not provide everything a species needs to thrive and is letting down the well intentioned wildlife friendly farmers who believe the scheme will help them give nature a home.
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It’s not all doom and gloom.
There are great examples elsewhere in the UK of schemes like Glastir having a positive impact on wildlife, including birds such as corncrake in Scotland and cirl bunting in the Southwest of England and whilst Glastir has its problems, there is also a lot to commend it. The current scheme is targeted and offers farmers a wealth of information, advice and guidance.
The Welsh Government have plans to review Glastir, this review could bring the changes needed to ensure Glastir is adequately funded, delivers everything a species need and is part of a wider strategy to halt biodiversity decline by 2020.
You can help please urge the Minister for Natural Resources and Food to ensure Glastir delivers a countryside where wildlife can thrive click here to take action now
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