Farming
We're working with farmers to find and share practical wildlife-friendly farming techniques.
Farming near you
Farming after Brexit
Following the decision in June 2016 for the UK to leave the European Union, major decisions will need to be made about how all governments across the UK support the environment, farming and rural development to replace the Common Agricultural Policy.
The RSPB, in partnership with leading UK conservation organisations, has called on the government to grasp the opportunity to provide more support to nature-friendly farmers and secure a better future for our countryside. We are currently working with farmers and others with expertise in food, rural development and conservation to achieve this.
Advice
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![Skylark (alauda arvensis) sitting in heather, South Stack RSPB reserve, Wales]()
Get a farmland bird survey
Find out how to get a survey of the bird-life on your farmland.
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![Redshank Tringa totanus, in breeding plumage, Geltsdale RSPB reserve, Cumbria,]()
Helping species
If you know which birds are on your farm, then you can find out what they need and how you can help them.
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![Skylark Alauda arvensis, at the grassy edge of a small field. Cornwall]()
Managing habitats
Advice on how to manage habitats for wildlife on your farm, from margins, banks and headlands to meadows, scrub land and buildings.
Agriculture and land-use
Our work with government helps develop agricultural policies that support the vital work that nature needs farmers to do.
Hope Farm
EU LIFE+ Farmland bird project
The EU LIFE+ Programme supported our Farmland Bird Project, enabling us to provide free bird surveys, an annual wildlife-friendly farming competition and free practical advice for farmers from specialist experts in their own area.
Find out more about the project and how it’s helped us shape the new advice and support tools we have available for farmers.
Our work with farmers was kindly sponsored by the EU LIFE+ fund between January 2010 and September 2013, safeguarding the future of our farmland birds under the EU Birds Directive.
Nature of Farming Award
Our farming blog
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Outputs from Hope Farm cover crop and compost trial
Guest blog by Georgie Bray, Hope Farm Manager Soil is the foundation that helps us to grow crops on the farm and look after so many of the species sitting at the base of the food chain in farmland ecosystems. Without healthy soils, crops suffer in ou...
Posted 26/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
What does the future hold for agriculture and food policy in Northern Ireland? A detailed look
Ruairi Brogan, Sustainable Agriculture Policy Officer tells us more Stormont, the Northern Ireland Assembly Building. Image (c) Simon Graham It’s been a busy period for the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) here...(read...
Posted 26/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
Welsh Agriculture Act and Sustainable Farming Scheme
RSPB Cymru views the creation of a new Welsh Agriculture Act and Sustainable Farming Scheme as a unique opportunity to use taxpayers’ money to establish sustainable farming that helps tackle the nature and climate emergency. As such we welcome Welsh ...
Posted 23/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill -
In review - the first year post-Brexit for farming
Guest blog by Lucy Bjorck, Senior Policy Officer Whatever your views on Brexit there was always one obvious opportunity for radical change for the better and that was to leave the shackles of the behemoth which is the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP....
Posted 22/11/2021 by Bridget Gaskill