The RSPB has this week launched its annual search to find
the UK s most wildlife-friendly farmer.
The Nature of Farming Award celebrates farmers who work
hardest to help threatened countryside wildlife, such as skylarks, brown
hares, bees, butterflies and plants.
It's run by the RSPB, supported
by Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, and sponsored by The
Telegraph.
Last years winner, Henry Edmunds, narrowly saw off the
three other fantastic finalists with his organic farm in Wiltshire,
which hosts an array of rare birds, bumblebees, moths and butterflies.
Applications for this year s award will be accepted until
the 18 April. There is always a high volume of entries with numbers
increasing year on year and the charity hopes this year will be its best
yet.
After the closing date, judges will select eight regional
winners, and then a panel of experts will decide which four should go
through to the national finals.
There will also be a highly commended category, to recognise the efforts of farmers who have excelled in
their support of farmland wildlife.
When the competition reaches its final stage, control
will shift to the UK public, as they decide the overall winner. People can cast their votes online, over the phone, via The Telegraph, or at
country shows
throughout the summer.
RSPB Head of Conservation Management and one of this year
s judges, Nick Droy, said:
More and more farmers are recognising that running a profitable farm business and helping wildlife on your
land can go hand
in hand.The RSPB
provides advice to help farmers do their bit for nature on their farm and we'll support them every step of
the way, but ultimately, its them and their local communities that do
the hard work. They're the real heroes.
The recent EU
Budget deal dealt a terrible hand to Europes wildlife, with potentially huge cuts to wildlife friendly farming
schemes. But there is hope for the UK, a country which has led the way
in investing
in this field. If Owen Paterson shows leadership and uses
his powers wisely to ensure that as much funding as possible will go
towards those farmers and land managers who provide the greatest
benefits for wildlife and the countryside, then all will not be lost.
In excess of
30,000 RSPB supporters lobbied David Cameron to vote for Nature at the European Budget meeting by voting for a
favourable outcome for wildlife. We hope the Prime Minister and his
Environment
Secretary have taken notice of this.
This year s judging panel:
Nick Droy - RSPB Head of Conservation Management Advice
Martin Warren
Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive
Victoria Chester
Plantlife Chief Executive
Fergus Collins
Countryfile Magazine
All the details on how to enter can be found on the RSPB
website at
www.rspb.org.uk/natureoffarming
The competition is run by the RSPB, supported by
Butterfly Conservation and Plantlife, and sponsored by The Telegraph.
The EU LIFE+ Programme funds RSPB work which supports
wildlife-friendly farming that furthers sustainable development.
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