The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, a farming charity which promotes environmentally responsible farming, may collapse after over 40 years of service. FWAG national chair of trustees Henry Lucas announced yesterday that the charity is expected to go into administration "in the coming days". image expired

FWAG describes itself as the leading independent and dedicated provider of environmental and conservation advice to farmers. The news has been met with sadness in the farming industry. Industry leaders said the charity’s role in knowledge transfer and advice for farmers in integrating environmental measures with their businesses should not be underestimated.

The farmer-led charity has 29 regional offices across the UK, with a headquarters in Stoneleigh. It has reportedly faced “severe disruption” to funding since the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, and the recent need to bid for many government and European Union funding programmes has put the organisation under "severe strain", according to Mr Lucas.

Last week, staff at the charity’s regional offices were shocked to discover FWAG could no longer pay them. Mr Lucas commented, "Following several months of discussions with a range of potential partners and funders, with a view to re-structuring the group, last Tuesday, our credit facility was withdrawn at short notice rendering us unable to meet payroll requirements."

The group was established in 1969 by farmers who were concerned about the dramatic loss of habitat and wildlife which had resulted from the increasing intensification of farming methods. The charity is expected to make an announcement on its future before the weekend.