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David Cameron will in Brussels for the next 2 days (7-8 Feb), at the EU Budget summit. What is decided there will have huge impact on farmers, wildlife, and our countryside. The budget for agri-environment schemes for the next 7 years is under discussion – but if the wrong decisions are made...

It's a million dollar question, or rather a trillion euro question, because the deal that might get done at next week's EU Budget summit (7-8 Feb) will have huge implications for how much funding is available for nature conservation and wildlife friendly farming schemes from 2014 onwards. ...

On Friday we held our annual RSPB breakfast at the Oxford Farming Conference . It is a great chance to talk to people from across the agricultural industry, and celebrate the efforts of wildlife-friendly farmers all across the UK. Our Chief Executive, Mike Clarke, was joined by Bill Jordan, cofounder...

What do you get if you mix an enthusiastic and dedicated bunch of farmers, volunteers and RSPB staff and stick them in front of an international audience from across the agriculture sector for a day? Lots of interesting discussions, real insight to the value of our farmland conservation work and plenty...

The battle to save vital agrienvironment schemes continues - see Martin Harper's blog today to read what farmers are saying to David Cameron. And don't forget to sign the petition on www.rspb.org.uk/steppingup to help wildlife-friendly farmers if you haven't already - today is your last...

Earlier this year Farmers Guardian reported the results of a survey showing that almost 9 out of 10 farmers agree that environmental management and wildlife conservation are important parts of their farm management. You won’t be surprised that it’s something we whole-heartedly agree with...

Read Martin Harper's blog today to find out the latest news on the proposed EU budget for 2014-2020. Now more than ever before, wildlife-friendly farmers need your support. You can do this by emailing David Cameron before he meets with EU leaders next week. Please share this link with your friends...

Did you see the Daily Telegraph this morning? They reported some stark figures from the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution (RABI; a charity that provides support for farmers in need throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland). RABI have shown that many farmers are facing severe poverty...

Fancy filling your belly for free? If like me you are a frugal type and not easily embarrassed, this is the time of year to scour Fen roadsides. Lorries piled to the brim with spuds, onions and carrots are trundling back and forth as fast as they can go from the field to the packing plant. You can...

What do Londoners know about farming? In many cases the answer will be 'not a lot'. But collectively city dwellers hold a great deal of power over our farmed environment, simply because so much of our population lives in urban areas. They can influence our countryside both through their...

By Jenna Hegarty, Senior Agriculture Policy Officer The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform negotiations are in full swing and much of the attention has been on controversial ‘greening’ proposals for Direct Payments (Pillar I). So we felt it was high time to shine the spotlight on...

Check out Martin Harper's blog today - a guest post from Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman, talking about the UK Government's ambitions for reform of the Common Agriculture Policy. Interesting stuff......

“ Is modern farming harming the countryside? ” That was the topic up for debate at last week’s Cereals event. Our Conservation Director, Martin Harper, took to the stage alongside Peter Kendall ( NFU President); Graeme Matravers (Chair, Soil Association Farmer and Grower Board) and...

By Jenna Hegarty, Senior Agriculture Policy Officer Reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in well underway and the RSPB is doing all it can to remind our politicians and decision-makers that Pillar 2, which is home to agri-environment schemes, need to be more strongly championed. Agri...

By Jenna Hegarty, Senior Agriculture Policy Officer For the first time ever, the European Parliament (led by the agriculture committee) shares decision-making powers with EU Member States in this round of CAP reform. This means that our MEPs will help shape one of the most powerful drivers of how...

By Vicki Swales, Head of Land Use Policy, RSPB Scotland Does Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment in Scotland, want the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) to promote greener farming? Or does he need some gentle persuading? On past performance, we think the...

That helping farmland wildlife is important......That level of consensus can’t happen too often. The results of a ‘Voluntary Initiative’ survey amongst farmers was recently published. It encouragingly found that 86% of farmers agree that environmental management and wildlife conservation...