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- Celebrating 21 years of agri-environment schemes - Sunday 1 June
Celebrating 21 years of agri-environment schemes - Sunday 1 June
30 May 2008
21 years of agri-environment schemes have seen farmers make a huge difference to wildlife and landscape across the country.
Over the coming months Defra and Natural England will be celebrating the success of these schemes to highlight the significant contribution they make to the conservation and protection of some of England’s most important landscapes and habitats. The first event will take place this weekend to coincide with Open Farm Sunday.
Sir Martin Doughty, Natural England chair, said:
“Green farming schemes have resulted in some great success stories for wildlife and the health of our countryside over the past 21 years. The regeneration of thousands of miles of footpaths and bridleways are just a few examples of what they’ve achieved.”
“These schemes not only make a major contribution to the UK’s commitments on farmland birds but they also help bring Sites of Special Scientific Interest into favourable condition. Natural England will continue its efforts to improve these schemes to find incentives that land managers buy into and farmers find attractive to bring more land into these agreements.”