The Thames is a big old place! Although most of us wouldn’t necessarily associate it as being big on agriculture, this vital industry does have a place in as a historical food supplier for the UK’s burgeoning capital city. Together with partners, the RSPB works with farmers and landowners in the area every year, offering advice and support to help them put practical measures in place to support and encourage wildlife, alongside food production. A huge part of this advice work is in supporting farmers in joining dedicated conservation schemes known as Environmental Stewardship schemes which are part of the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
CAP is in the process of being reformed and at the moment these proposals don’t protect the natural environment (which is the bedrock of food production) or ensure that our wonderful wildlife-friendly farmers in and around the Thames are properly rewarded for their excellent wildlife friendly work. CAP needs to be reformed to pay for public goods and services providing real benefits for wildlife and communities and to provide resilient and sustainable agriculture.
Under the current policy, there are some amazing things happening as a result of farmers coming together with the RSPB and other partners. Our adviser in South Essex, Frank Vargas has seen spectacular results for corn buntings (a farmland loving bird which has suffered dramatic declines as much as 90% since the 1970’s) by trialling 15ha rotational plots which are seeded with targeted wild bird mix. Earlier this month he had 800+ corn buntings whirring overhead, joined by yellowhammers, linnets, reed buntings and skylarks, blotting out the soft winter light. In North Kent, Emma Sheard is working to replicate this success in partnership with the Nature Improvement Area to facilitate farmer-led improvements for breeding waders such as Redshanks and Lapwings, addressing issues such as predation and water availability, maximising benefits of CAP funded schemes.
Amazing wildlife spectacles like those being seen on Wallasea Island are proof that wildlife friendly farming and Environmental Stewardship schemes work here in the Thames. If we don’t continue to invest in these schemes and prioritise funding for them we will be losing these incredible birds and the ecosystems they support forever. A recent survey suggested that 96% farmers would be unable to maintain wildlife-friendly farming without the right support (both financial incentives and high quality farm advice).
You can help us make a difference by contacting David Cameron and asking him to ensure that EU farming policy is reformed to guarantee that wildlife-friendly farms are celebrated and rewarded. A positive reform to CAP would go a long way to securing this future for birds like the corn bunting, lapwing and redshank.
You can find more information on how to add your voice to ours and sign our petition here: www.rspb.org.uk/votefornature and follow Martin Harper’s blog for updates on the EU Budget negotiations.