Defra has launched the England Biodiversity Strategy (EBS), one of the key commitments laid out in the Natural Environment White Paper, released in June. The EBS, which will run until 2020, will serve as the foundation guiding conservation efforts in England, with the aim of halting biodiversity loss over the coming decade.

The new plan was launched on Friday as Biodiversity 2020: A strategy for England’s wildlife and ecosystem services by environment secretary Caroline Spelman. On launching the strategy, Ms Spelman said, "Our wildlife is not only something that we should value because it’s nice to look at. Nature underpins our very existence, giving us clean air to breathe, clean water to drink and healthy food to eat. This strategy sets out how we will stop the loss of species and habitats, so that this generation can be the first to leave our natural environment in a better state than they found it."

The strategy identifies the key role played by farmers as 'stewards of the countryside' and states "agricultural land management practices are one of the most important influences on our biodiversity and ecosystem services. Agriculture shapes the landscapes we value, and contributes significantly to the UK economy." It acknowledges that farmers' "cooperation is crucial in achieving our ambitions for biodiversity."

The strategy aims to bring together farmers and 'environmental partners' to tackle challenges of securing biodiversity while maintaining food security. It also identifies the role reforming the Common Agricultural Policy could have in achieving greater environmental benefits.

Reaction from the farming industry to the plan has been supportive overall. NFU countryside adviser Dr Andrea Graham said "Many of the actions detailed within this document have already been included in the Natural Environment White Paper published earlier this summer so there are no real surprises.

"However, We will be looking for reassurance from Defra and its agencies that while this new strategy is understandably focused on biodiversity, we maintain a balance of activity between wildlife and habitats and other equally important challenges such as water quality, soil conservation and climate change mitigation.

"It's encouraging that Defra wants to openly discuss the issue of halting biodiversity loss with all stakeholders including the agricultural industry and we welcome a recognition that tensions between improving environmental benefits and increasing food production can only be resolved by working together."

The plan is the latest in a series of attempts to halt or reverse biodiversity loss in the English countryside over the past 20 years. Farmers have recently been working together with groups including the RSPB in wetlands in the East of England with great success and the numbers of farmers participating in agri-environmental schemes has increased dramatically.

Defra said it will publish its conclusions, detailing how it can achieve its goals within the next 12 months. The EBS can be viewed here.