In today’s meeting of the Welsh Parliament, Wales Species Champion for the Curlew, Mark Isherwood MS, emphasised the need for “urgent action now” to ensure that Curlews are not lost from Wales.
Questioning the Minister for Rural Affairs and North Wales over the role the Sustainable Farming Scheme will play in species recovery, Mr Isherwood, Member of the Senedd for North Wales, who is working with Gylfinir Cymru /Curlew Wales, said the roll out of the scheme is expected to take 10 years and asked what is being done now to help restore populations of rare and vulnerable species like Curlew.
He said:
“In a written response to me from the Minister for Climate Change six weeks ago, she said 'longer term, the Sustainable Farming Scheme will be an important mechanism and source of funding to address habitat loss and species decline, including some of our iconic farmland birds such as the Curlew. Representations from the Gylfinir Cymru Partnership will be considered by the Minister for Rural Affairs, North Wales and Trefnydd as the Sustainable Farming Scheme is developed'.
“But, with country-level extinction by 2033 threatened, I hope you would agree that we don't have time to wait. As it's going to take the best part of a decade for the Wales-wide roll-out of the Sustainable Farming Scheme, how will this help restore populations of rare and vulnerable species like Curlew, which need urgent action now if we're not to lose them from Wales?
“And can the Minister confirm her acceptance of Gylfinir Cymru's request for an on-site meeting with farmers, land managers and Gylfinir Cymru partners to discuss curlew recovery, the wider multiple and multispecies benefits provided, and potentially supportIVE policy development like the Sustainable Farming Scheme?”
The Minister replied:
“I wouldn't want people to think we were just waiting for the Sustainable Farming Scheme to come in relation to protecting our species. There's been significant funding - I think it's about £235 million - already gone into around 50 projects across Wales.”
Speaking afterwards, Mr Isherwood added:
“Time is running out and I desperately hope that the Minister will accept Gylfinir Cymru /Curlew Wales’ request for an on-site meeting and prioritise support for Curlew Recovery before it is too late.”