Conference told farmers play vital role in sustainable wildlife habitats

FARMERS are playing an increasingly vital role in creating a sustainable habitat for wildlife, claimed experts at the Teagasc-hosted Conserving Farmland Biodiversity conference in Wexford yesterday.

The updated Irish Biodiversity Action Plan 2010-2015 comes into effect this year, and highlights the importance of biodiversity conservation, both in the wider countryside and in protected areas.

In its recent Government strategy for agriculture, the Food Harvest 2020 report outlines a vision for the agri-food sector in which the conservation of biodiversity is one of the main environmental goals.