British Study Says Modern Farming is Destroying Biodiversity
2/2/99
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Title: British Study Says Modern Farming is Destroying Biodiversity
Source: EarthVision Reports
Status: Copyrighted, contact source to reprint
Date: 2/2/99
LONDON, February 2, 1999 -- Several species of wild birds, animals and
insects that have existed in Britain for millennia are now under
threat by modern farming practices, according to a report published
today by The Wildlife Trusts, a UK-based organization. The group is
reportedly calling for major reform in British agricultural methods to
preserve the wildlife. PA News of Britain quotes the report as saying
the remarkable productivity of modern farming methods over the past 50
years has led to the loss of 95% of wildflower-rich meadows, 50% of
lowland fens, valleys and basin mires and 40% of hedgerows.
Furthermore, according to the report, once-common farmland species
such as the frog, brown hare, pipistrelle bat and skylark are
undergoing dramatic declines. The organization's research shows that
water voles are expected to almost disappear due to pesticide
pollution. The harvest mouse is under threat as well, due to the
planting of shorter-stemmed cereals, which are less suitable for nest
building, and winter sowing, which has led to harvesting taking place
before the breeding season is over.
The Wildlife Trusts is criticizing the British government's "Common
Agricultural Policy," which gives farmers 3 billion pounds (US$4.9
billion) of public money every year - with only 100,000 ($165,000) of
this going towards environmental projects. According to the group, it
would cost at least 1.6 billion pounds annually for environmental
measures to halt the decline in biodiversity.
Associated Link:
[1]The Wildlife Trusts
References
1. http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/
2. http://204.255.211.112/ColdFusion/news_top10.cfm