The CLA has today (Tuesday, 18 November) welcomed the Countryside Survey’s recognition of the benefits Environmental Stewardship is giving the countryside. CLA President Henry Aubrey-Fletcher said: “Take up of Environmental Stewardship Schemes in the last 10 years has shown significant improvements in management of land for the environment. “For example, the survey says there has been a fall of more than nine percent of arable land area which has led to a plant species richness increase of 30 percent. Part of this is due to the arable reversion option Countryside Stewardship.” The survey indicates an increase of nearly seven percent in the area of broadleaved woodland in the last decade, due in part, to land managers planting projects. The CLA President added: “Nearly half of all ‘managed’ hedges are now classified as being in good structural condition – again because of Environmental Stewardship Schemes.

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18 November 2008
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