A campaign to help and encourage landowners and farmers to protect Hertfordshire’s countryside and improve it for wildlife is being launched today.

The initiative brings together the National Farmers Union (NFU), the Country Land Association, the Government and conservation organisations such as the RSPB in a bid to boost the amount of land farmed under officially sponsored schemes which pay subsidies in return for sympathetic management.

As well as encouraging wildlife, the campaign aims to preserve soil quality and water supplies.

Mr Watts said: “This is a welcome opportunity to show how farmers work alongside environmental groups in a true partnership, demonstrating that conservation and commercial food production go hand in hand.

  “The aim will be to build on the good work we are already seeing on farms across the county and to encourage even more farmers to get involved.

   “We will be looking to recommend measures which are right for Hertfordshire’s countryside, achieving the right balance between protecting resources and helping farm wildlife and farmland birds.”

  NFU regional director Pamela Forbes said: “We will be urging all our members to back this campaign and help meet its challenging targets.

  “It’s our chance to demonstrate that productive farming and care for the environment do go together. A successful result will also avoid the threat of a regulatory approach which will bring far more red tape and expense for everyone.”