Scheme to Bring Wildlife Back

Archived

Friday, 28 February 2003

A £150m farming scheme to bring wildlife back to Britain's fields was yesterday launched by Michael Meacher, the environment minister.

The scheme will pay subsidies to farmers who agree to put buffer strips around the edges of fields and manage hedges and grass pastures more sympathetically to encourage the return of wild life.

These measures will help to tackle the problems of pollution, wildlife losses and damage to traditionally landscapes and historic features.

The scheme is due to be introduced across England in 2005, although the Treasury is demanding proof that the pilot schemes work and reform of the European Union's common agricultural policy has left question marks over its funding.

Source: John Mason, Food and Rural Affairs Correspondent of Financial Times; Feb 28, 2003.
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