Pay farmers to restore habitat on least productive farmland, think tank says

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Paying farmers to restore natural habitat on England’s least productive land would both boost their income and increase wild bird populations by almost 50% by 2050, according to a new study. Green Alliance said its plan for a “three pronged” agricultural system would help farmers as they try and navigate soaring fuel and fertiliser costs, as well as record heat and unprecedented drought. Green Alliance said its plan would see farms on unproductive land, known as “less favoured areas”, being paid £775 per hectare a year for habitat creation. “We need space for nature, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and food and timber production.” He added: “This report shows the vital role farmers and land managers will play in achieving all this and more.” Last month, the Environment Agency went even further than Green Alliance, calling for one-fifth of the UK’s agricultural land to be given over to projects to reduce emissions and sequester carbon.