Many people are increasingly concerned about the effects that major changes in farming over the past 50 years have had on wildlife, with reports of declining numbers of farmland birds, insects and small mammals but there are many reasons for these declines in farmland wildlife, the main ones for birds are described in the "Decline of Farmland Birds" section (more information is on the RSPB's website).

The good news is that farming methods have been changing dramatically over recent years. With reductions in the use of pesticides, the improvement in advice and guidance regarding infestations of pests, better techniques for localising the use of sprays within fields etc. Hundreds of farmers working with advice from the RSPB and other conservation organisations have already proved that wildlife-friendly farming helps.

In Devon cirl buntings increased from only 118 pairs in 1989 to 450 pairs - with more birds on land managed under DEFRA's Countryside Stewardship Scheme. In Wessex farmers help stone-curlews with sympathetic management of farmland, including set-aside. Numbers of this very rare migrant are increasing steadily (with 86 pairs recorded in Wessex in 2000, the highest since the recovery project began). Beneficial management is now saving breeding lapwings and other species such as corn bunting and tree sparrow.

Crucial to this management change is recognition that the changing climate will begin to impose its own impacts on wildlife and landscape. Hotter, drier summers and wetter winters will markedly affect the range of some species, leading perhaps to a northward migration across the region, or a migration to higher altitudes. We will see the Bronze Age farm-scapes on Dartmoor currently buried beneath peat and heather returning to farming. New species will arrive across the Channel, some old favourites will die out.

A continuing and successful partnership between farmers, government and conservation organisations is essential if our farmland biodiversity is to continue to flourish. We need to produce plentiful high quality food, prevent any decline in the rural economy, support rural communities and help wildlife with sustainable farming.

On-farm conservation, together with nature reserves etc will need to be flexible; networks of conservation land will be necessary to allow species to extend their range or migrate. Nature reserves as “islands” may no longer serve any useful purpose if they are no longer the right habitat for the species they were designated to protect. We must be prepared for change, for some wetlands to dry out, for some farmland to flood, and for both farmland and wilderness to spread up onto the hills.

Meanwhile, voluntary schemes such as membership of LEAF (www.leafuk.org/leaf), or using the LEAF audit can help farmers identify ways of farming in a more environmentally friendly and sustainable way. Advice is also available from FWAG (The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group www.fwag.org.uk).

Agri-environment schemes, such as the Environmental Stewardship Scheme can help by funding positive, wildlife-friendly management of farmland: there are three levels to this scheme, the Entry Level, the Higher Level and the Organic entry level.

The aim of the Entry Level scheme is to encourage a large number of farmers across a wide area of farmland to enter into five year agreements to deliver simple yet effective environmental management, requiring a basic level of environmental management in exchange for payments per hectare per year across the whole farm (except in extensively grazed upland areas) with a range of over 50 options to choose from (e.g. hedgerow management, stone wall maintenance, low input grassland, buffer strips, and arable options), to cover all farming types.

The Higher Level scheme aims to deliver significant environmental benefits in high priority situations where more complex environmental management is needed. A wide range of management options are available, targeted to support key characteristics of the different areas of the English countryside. Payments relate to the options chosen and can include payments for capital items such as hedgerow restoration. A detailed Farm Environmental Plan is needed and farmers need to commit to a ten year agreement.

A future for farming and wildlife

Most of our countryside is farmed; farming has shaped the landscape and the biodiversity the nation expects to see. The future for farmers and the survival of wildlife both depend on decisions made by policy makers, by farmers and landowners and perhaps above all by the choices made by consumers.

British farmers operate within a global food supply, required to maintain very high standards of animal welfare, food quality and environmental quality whilst competing with imported food. The views and requirements of consumers and supermarkets can determine the future for biodiversity.

Financial and public support for environmentally friendly and sustainable farming is increasing through both farm and food assurance or accreditation schemes, and through the reformed CAP single farm payments. Advice is available from many organisations.

We must ensure a successful future for farming and food production, biodiversity and rural communities. Please support positive change for farming and the environment.

Farmers and conservationists working in partnership CAN make a difference.

• The decline of farmland birds

• General advice to help farmland wildlife

• Monthly conservation advice:-

• Link to Natural England's "Farmers & Land Managers" web page (Natural England deliver the Government's programme of financial incentives to farmers and land managers for the protection and enhancement of the natural environment)