Environmental Stewardship delivering the goods, says CLA

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.

"Although there is still room for improvement in some hedgerows, especially in filling gaps, it is good news that there appears to be a growing number of hedgerow trees.

"The CLA would encourage land owners to consider taking up Entry Level Stewardship if they have not already done so."

CLA MEDIA CONTACTS:

For further information and interviews:

Oliver Wilson, Director of Communications, 020 7460 7936 or 07702 928828, ollie.wilson@cla.org.uk,

Phillippa Coates, Press Officer, 020 7460 7934, phillippa.coates@cla.org.uk

Out of hours duty phone: 020 7201 9511.