DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (News Release ref
:346/08) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 31 October 2008
Wildlife Minister
Huw Irranca-Davies today called for renewed action on farmland
birds, as new statistics show a decline in farmland bird
populations while overall wild bird populations remain stable.
Today's statistics show that between 1970 and 2007 wild bird
numbers have remained broadly stable. However, between 2005 and
2007 farmland bird numbers fell to their lowest recorded level,
following a stabilisation in their numbers between 1999 and
2004.
Key findings of the Wild Bird Populations 2007 Report include:
* Breeding farmland bird numbers (in England) are 52 per cent
lower than 1966 levels (the base year). There was a sustained
decrease between the mid-1970s and the mid-1990s due to changes in
agricultural practice, including the loss of over-winter stubbles,
the loss of mixed farming, increased use of agro-chemicals, and
the loss of field margins and hedges. Numbers stabilised between
1999 and 2003, and have since fallen. Farmland bird numbers are
directly related to the availability of winter and summer food and
nesting habitat.
* Woodland bird numbers (England and UK) are currently stable
after declines in the 1980s and early 1990s. Woodland bird numbers
are affected by factors including changes in woodland structure,
deer grazing and nest predators.
* Water and wetland breeding bird numbers across the UK number
they are six per cent lower than the 1975 level. Bird populations
are affected by changes in the weather and climate.
* Seabird numbers (UK) are 31per cent higher than in 1970, but
have shown a slight decline in recent years.
Huw Irranca-Davies said:
"A healthy environment is fundamental to our economy, as
well as being a vital part of what living in Britain means to us.
Some species such as the Goldfinch and Kingfisher are doing well.
However others are continuing to decline, particularly those
species that breed solely or mainly on farmland.
"We must continue the work we are doing with conservation
bodies, land managers and farmers, and volunteers to help to stop
and reverse the decline in wild and farmland bird numbers, and
take further action."
Work to help farmland birds is underway. Changes to Defra's
Environmental Stewardship scheme are being introduced following a
report in February 2008 that included specific recommendations to
give added help to farmland birds, such as increasing the size of
the area that can be sown with wild bird seed mixture.
Following the EU decision to set a zero per cent set-aside rate
for the 2008 harvest, and proposals to abolish it, Hilary Benn
announced earlier this year the preferred approach to capture the
key environmental benefits previously provided by set-aside,
including for farmland birds. This approach would require
farmers to manage a percentage of their land in an environmentally
friendly way.
We are also carrying out research into potential measures to help
reverse declines in farmland and wild bird numbers, and to build
on our knowledge of their populations and declines.
Notes for Editors
1. The Wild Bird Population Indicator is based on data provided
by the British Trust for Ornithology and the RSPB. They are based
on previously published figures.
2. The Wild Bird Population Indicator can been be found at http://defraweb/environment/statistics/wildlife/kf/wdkf03.htm
3. Birds such as the Reed Bunting, Goldfinch, Kingfisher, Common
Sandpiper and Chiffchaff have benefitted from environmental
improvements conservation work, and the increased management of
land in an environmentally friendly way through schemes such as
Environmental Stewardship.
4. New research projects will help us to look at measures to halt
and reverse the decline and build our understanding of the
declines in breeding bird populations, including farmland,
woodland and water and wetland birds. They are expected to include
landscape scale studies, the improvement of existing land
management practices for farmland birds, and developing novel approaches.
5. Farmland birds will benefit from revisions to the options of
the Environmental Stewardship Scheme for example: extending the
hedgerow "no-cutting" period by a month, and increasing
the size of the area that can be sown with wild bird seed mixture.
In addition, a new option for "summer fallow" is under
development which would be beneficial to ground nesting birds and
provide important summer feeding habitats.
6. On 25 July Hilary Benn announced his preferred approach for
capturing the environmental benefits previously provided by
set-aside. The approach would require farmers to manage a small
percentage of their land in an environmentally friendly way which
would be complemented by new top-up options in Environmental
Stewardship. Defra are currently considering implementation
proposals and awaiting the results of the Common Agricultural
Policy 'Health Check' by the European Union.
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