This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Government Leaflet aims to improve biodiversity on arable farms at little or no cost
28/06/1999
A range of practices and land management procedures which should help maintain or improve biodiversity on arable farms are outlined in a new leaflet published today by the Scottish Biodiversity Group.
The leaflet - aimed at arable farmers - will be followed up by a series of seminars in arable areas. It will help improve awareness of, and demonstrate opportunities to enhance biodiversity - the total variety of all living things - on arable farms. Future leaflets will be aimed at other farming and crofting enterprises.
Welcoming the publication of the leaflet, Biodiversity on Lowland Arable Farms, Minister for Rural Affairs Ross Finnie said:
"This is an excellent leaflet which I am sure will prove to be a valuable source of information for arable farmers. I am determined to encourage biodiversity in rural areas and this leaflet outlines a variety of ways in which arable farmers can introduce practical measures where not already carried out at little or no cost.
"This clearly demonstrates that biodiversity is something that can be achieved without a massive cost-intensive shift in working practices and that can run in parallel with modern farming methods - merely by applying some innovative thinking. I hope this leaflet will be used by many arable farmers across Scotland.
"As Minister for Rural Affairs, I attach a high priority to biodiversity and this leaflet offers simple steps how that goal can be achieved."
Three areas of Scotland - Borders and Central; Fife, Perth and Angus; and Grampian and the Moray Coast - have been targeted for an initial series of Biodiversity Awareness Seminars. The first seminar will take place on June 29 in Gifford.
BACKGROUND
The Scottish Biodiversity Group, recognising the important influence which farming and crofting has upon biodiversity, established an Agriculture Working Group which was launched by Lord Sewel in June 1998. The group is chaired by John Henderson of the The Scottish Office agricultural staff and includes representatives from the National Farmers Union, Scottish Crofters Union, Crofters Commission, Scottish Landowners Federation, Scottish Environment LINK - formerly known as Scottish Wildlife and Countryside Link, Forestry Authority, Scottish Agricultural Colleges, Scottish Natural Heritage, COSLA, Royal Institute for Chartered Surveyors and the Farm Wildlife Advisory Group. The Agriculture Working Group's remits includes action to raise awareness of biodiversity within the farming, crofting and land-owning communities and to encourage the use of biodiversity-friendly practices.
News Release: 1346/99
28 June 1999