The RSPB has revealed farmland bird populations across Europe are at their lowest levels since records began. New figures from the Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring Scheme show numbers of farmland birds to be perilously low.

The scheme looked at population figures for 145 of the most common bird species in 25 European countries between 1980 and 2009. The results show farmland birds to be the most threatened species group. image expired

Fully half of the top ten most threatened birds across Europe are farmland birds, these include the grey partridge, which has seen a 90 per cent decline in the UK, and the linnet, which has declined by 57 per cent.

The RSPB and other conservationists have commented that the research strengthens the case for reforming the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to reward farmers for adopting conservation measures on their land. The RSPB has expressed concerns that upcoming proposals for CAP reform, set to be published in October, do not contain enough support for agri-environment schemes encouraging wildlife friendly farming measures.

Jenna Hegarty, RSPB CAP policy officer, said, "We know that farmland birds have halved in number in the UK since the 1970s, but these shocking figures show that the story is the same across Europe. This is no coincidence – the one thing that farmed landscapes in European countries all have in common is that they are shaped by the Common Agricultural Policy. This policy has helped farmers to produce more food, but wildlife has suffered as a result.

"With proper targeted funding we can reverse these declines and make our countryside richer and healthier for birds, plants, insects and people as well as producing food. I hope that these stark figures on wildlife population declines bring home to policy makers the vital importance of a CAP that works for people and nature. Many farmers are doing brilliant things for wildlife but there still isn’t enough money in the pot. It’s not a choice between food and birds, because we can have both."

Commenting on the survey’s findings, NFU countryside adviser Dr Andrea Graham said, "The uptake and engagement with farmers in these schemes and other voluntary activity has seen an impressive step change since 2005 and the industry is working hard with other industry, wildlife and government partners to understand the reasons for the continued decline in farmland bird populations and to take action to try to turn around the trend." 

Recent EU Budget announcements have made it clear that decision makers plan to allocate less money to Pillar 2 environmental payments, such as England’s Entry Level Stewardship and Higher Level Stewardship schemes. A recent leaked CAP document has also revealed that policy makers plan to allow member states to move money away from agri-environment schemes and into other areas.

The results of the European bird population survey suggest that after missing its 2010 biodiversity conservation target, the EU will go on to miss the 2020 biodiversity conservation target unless further action is taken.