Heated debate on land use and wildlife at the CLA Game Fair

Chaired by CLA Vice President Tim Breitmeyer, the theme of ‘Landowners and Wildlife: Friends or Foes?’ was debated in front of a live audience
Chaired by CLA Vice President Tim Breitmeyer, the theme of ‘Landowners and Wildlife: Friends or Foes?’ was debated in front of a live audience

The clash in views about the relationship between land management and wildlife came to a head today at the CLA Game Fair, at Harewood House in Yorkshire.

The CLA represents landowners, farmers and rural businesses and the annual CLA Game Fair is a celebration of the British countryside. Today the event provided a platform for leading voices to spar on one of the countryside’s most controversial issues: is conservation at odds with modern agriculture and land management?

Chaired by CLA Vice President Tim Breitmeyer, the theme of ‘Landowners and Wildlife: Friends or Foes?’ was debated in front of a live audience by former Defra Secretary of State Owen Paterson MP; leading naturalist and former RSPB Conservation Director Mark Avery; Kent farmer and Elmley National Nature Reserve owner Philip Merricks; and Ian Coghill, Chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Owen Paterson MP said:

“Our countryside is something which needs constant management and intervention. The influence of man can be seen in both our flora and fauna. The naming of the barn owl, harvest mouse, meadow pipit, corn bunting and hedge sparrow – demonstrates the importance of the farmed landscape to our wildlife.

“The work of organisations such as the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust demonstrate the importance of managing both our landscapes and wildlife populations. Its ‘Fields for the future’ report found that wild pheasants increased four-fold in response to full game management, Hare numbers dropped substantially once predator control was withdrawn and songbird numbers doubled in response to game management but showed a gradual decline once feeding and predator control was stopped.

“I am a practical environmentalist. I find common cause with all those who passionately believe that we have a duty to pass on a better environment than the one we inherited. Too many times those that say they are doing their best to protect the environment shy away from the difficult decisions.”

CLA Vice President Tim Breitmeyer said: “Today’s debate brought to the fore issues that are critical to the future of the countryside. Protecting and conserving rural landscapes for all who live and work there is a high priority for land managers and farmers, but they often come under fire from various groups who have different priorities. Discussion and compromise by all stakeholders to ensure the common goal of a countryside where the natural wildlife thrives alongside a diverse and productive rural economy is one of the greatest challenges we face going forward.”

You can listen to the debate – and other highlights of the event - at CLA Game Fair Radio online at http://www.879fm.uk and on 87.9FM in the region of the site.