05/08/2004
Fight for NI wildlife at EU talks, government urged
The RSPB has called on the government to offer "true leadership" and reform of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy to help protect Northern Ireland's countryside.
The organisation said adequate funding must be found to enable two thirds of the province's Irish farmland to enter EU agri-environmental schemes.
At present, lapwing and yellowhammer numbers have fallen by more than 65% in Northern Ireland, while the corncrake has already become extinct.
Figures released by the RSPB also revealed that wildlife on farms had declined drastically over the last 30 years due to farming intensification. Many areas of farmland, butterflies or grasshoppers have disappeared, while many wild flowers have also gone.
Encouragingly, there are more than 7,000 farmers participating in environmentally-friendly schemes such as the Countryside Management Scheme.
Aidan Lonergan, Director of the RSPB, said: "With some imagination everyone could make tremendous gains from this review of CAP. We look to the government to listen to the public and provide leadership."
(MB)
The organisation said adequate funding must be found to enable two thirds of the province's Irish farmland to enter EU agri-environmental schemes.
At present, lapwing and yellowhammer numbers have fallen by more than 65% in Northern Ireland, while the corncrake has already become extinct.
Figures released by the RSPB also revealed that wildlife on farms had declined drastically over the last 30 years due to farming intensification. Many areas of farmland, butterflies or grasshoppers have disappeared, while many wild flowers have also gone.
Encouragingly, there are more than 7,000 farmers participating in environmentally-friendly schemes such as the Countryside Management Scheme.
Aidan Lonergan, Director of the RSPB, said: "With some imagination everyone could make tremendous gains from this review of CAP. We look to the government to listen to the public and provide leadership."
(MB)
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Corporate Manslaughter Conviction First
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05 September 2003
NI farmers asked to help evaluate EU schemes
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on the help of local farmers in evaluating future EU-funded schemes. The Department is asking selected farmers to take part in a telephone interview which will provide valuable feedback to the European Commission on the progress of schemes.
NI farmers asked to help evaluate EU schemes
The Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has called on the help of local farmers in evaluating future EU-funded schemes. The Department is asking selected farmers to take part in a telephone interview which will provide valuable feedback to the European Commission on the progress of schemes.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.