Biodiversity continues to decline across the UK.

Agriculture and climate change are the main drivers according to the report recently released by the State of Nature, compiled by more than 50 wildlife and conservation organisations comprising the State of Nature partnership.

Inevitably, there’s been reflexive irritation from some in the farming community at these findings (and there’s little doubt that some of the organisations that comprise the State of Nature are often instinctively hostile towards agriculture).

Yet scant issue can be taken with the broad sweep of evidence – nature is in decline globally, including in these isles.

With agriculture taking up to 70% of our land area, it’s inevitable we play a part in that.

Farmers Weekly – October 2023