Executives from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group (FWAG), which is facing the threat of imminent closure, called talks with administrators early last week, although the group has yet to make a formal announcement on its future.

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Towards the end of last week, many regional FWAG offices held meetings to plan ways in which they could go it alone, should the eleventh hour talks fail to save the national organisation. Staff at the regional offices speculated at forming independent regional groups in the event the national body cannot be salvaged.

FWAG has had serious financial difficulties since its core funding from Defra was cut in last year’s Comprehensive Spending Review; it has also seen a reduction in uptake of stewardship schemes. This culminated in the withdrawal of the group’s credit facility at the end of October, meaning it struggled to pay its staff, pushing FWAG towards administration. The potential collapse is threatening 120 jobs nationally.

FWAG was set up in 1969 by farmers concerned at the industrialisation of the countryside, and the consequent loss of habitat and wildlife. The farmer-led group remains more popular in the industry than most environmental protection agencies.

News of the group’s potential demise has been met with sadness across the industry. It is credited with playing a priceless role in environmental improvement on farms over the past four decades. Andrew Clark, head of policy services at the NFU, lamented the organisation’s probable closure, saying FWAG had provided "invaluable service on thousands of farms across the country" since its formation.

FWAG chair Henry Lucas assured at the end of last week that, wherever possible, projects would be completed and customer requirements met.