BUTTERFLY Conservation has welcomed the Government's new Environmental Stewardship (ES) scheme for farmers.

Many farmers in the North-East and North Yorkshire already take part in ES projects.

The new scheme has changed the way subsidies are paid so they are rewarded for wildlife-friendly methods rather than simply producing food.

Butterfly Conservation says that such an approach will help ease the crisis facing butterflies and moths: seven out of every ten species are declining and four butterflies and 60 moths became extinct during the past century with intensive farming blamed.

Under the new scheme, species to be targeted through better habitat protection include more common ones, such as small tortoiseshell and peacock, and highly threatened butterflies like marsh fritillaries, which have declined by 60 per cent in 20 years.

Research by Butterfly Conservation showed that the earlier version of Countryside Stewardship slowed or reversed butterfly declines and it is hopeful that the reformed one will do even more.

Chief executive Dr Martin Warren said: "The new scheme brings some light at the end of a dark tunnel of butterfly declines and gives hope that farming and biodiversity can once again thrive together." Details of the scheme are available on the website: www.defra.gov.uk/erdp

Published: 26/04/2005