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19/01/2004
Intensive farming demolishes European bird population: report
Europe's farmland bird population has crashed by a third in some species due to intensive farming, according to a new report by the RSPB published today.
With 10 countries joining the European Union (EU) on May 1 2004, 25 European members of BirdLife International, including the RSPB, are calling on the European Commission and governments of member and accession states to put the environment and wildlife at the heart of farming policy. Otherwise, the coalition says, wildlife and the environment will continue to suffer.
The study on the population trends of wild birds shows the numbers of 24 farmland birds across Europe, including skylarks, lapwings and yellowhammers, have crashed since 1980, because of "intensive farming caused by the Common Agricultural Policy".
Previous RSPB research had shown that the population declines of farmland birds have been greatest in those European countries with the most intensive farming systems. In the UK, between 1970 and 1999, the skylark has declined by 52%, the yellowhammer by 53% and the corn bunting by 88%.
Of around 453 species of bird occurring regularly in Europe, 150 (about one third) rely on sustainable farming for their future survival. Birds at most immediate risk are those that are particularly vulnerable to intensive agriculture, such as the corncrake, the red-backed shrike and the great bustard, the RSPB said.
The RSPB's chief executive, Graham Wynne, said: "For more than three decades the wildlife of the European Union has been ravaged by agricultural production subsidies encouraging intensive farming ahead of sustainability and the environment.
"Governments of the newest members to join the EU must learn the lessons from countries like the UK, where declines of farmland wildlife have seen once common species, like the tree sparrow and lapwing, disappear from many areas. They should use EU financial support to maintain farming systems which respect environmental limits and leaves room for wildlife."
(gmcg)
With 10 countries joining the European Union (EU) on May 1 2004, 25 European members of BirdLife International, including the RSPB, are calling on the European Commission and governments of member and accession states to put the environment and wildlife at the heart of farming policy. Otherwise, the coalition says, wildlife and the environment will continue to suffer.
The study on the population trends of wild birds shows the numbers of 24 farmland birds across Europe, including skylarks, lapwings and yellowhammers, have crashed since 1980, because of "intensive farming caused by the Common Agricultural Policy".
Previous RSPB research had shown that the population declines of farmland birds have been greatest in those European countries with the most intensive farming systems. In the UK, between 1970 and 1999, the skylark has declined by 52%, the yellowhammer by 53% and the corn bunting by 88%.
Of around 453 species of bird occurring regularly in Europe, 150 (about one third) rely on sustainable farming for their future survival. Birds at most immediate risk are those that are particularly vulnerable to intensive agriculture, such as the corncrake, the red-backed shrike and the great bustard, the RSPB said.
The RSPB's chief executive, Graham Wynne, said: "For more than three decades the wildlife of the European Union has been ravaged by agricultural production subsidies encouraging intensive farming ahead of sustainability and the environment.
"Governments of the newest members to join the EU must learn the lessons from countries like the UK, where declines of farmland wildlife have seen once common species, like the tree sparrow and lapwing, disappear from many areas. They should use EU financial support to maintain farming systems which respect environmental limits and leaves room for wildlife."
(gmcg)
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
