Hedgerows make a return

By Mike Lloyd
For BBC News Online Scotland

Thousands of miles of hedgerow have been lost

Scottish farmers have been replacing hedgerows, as subsidies switch from production to protecting the environment.

Hedgerows have been disappearing in Scotland at the rate of 400 miles each year and the decline in biodiversity has been dramatic, according to Scottish Natural Heritage.

Ian Bray, a field officer with SNH put it bluntly. He said: "That's like losing one long hedge stretching from the tip of Scotland right down to the Borders every year.

"Hedges are especially important for butterflies, bats and farmland birds."

Farming has come full circle, we ripped the hedges out and now we are putting them back again Mike Eagers Hopetoun estate

However, environmental regeneration schemes have been helping to turn the tide.

Mike Eagers, who manages more than 2,000 acres on the Hopetoun estate, near South Queensferry, is an enthusiast for eco-farming.

He said: "Farming has come full circle, we ripped the hedges out and now we are putting them back again.

"It is a sign of growing interest in the environment and conservation."

Mr Eagers wants the Hopetoun estate to produce food in harmony with nature.

Ian Bray said there does not have to be any conflict between wanting to protect the environment and keeping a hard head for the economics of farming.

There is a new environmental emphasis

He said: "Hopetoun is showing the way, and it is run as a business."

Mr Bray said that the change of heart is driven by financial necessity.

Subsidy regimes have shifted from pouring money into production towards environmental projects.

Country soul

However, Tony Seymour from the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group, which has persuaded farmers to put back 90 miles of hedges, insisted that there are purer motives as well.

Mr Seymour said: "Farmers like to see hedges, they like to see wildlife in the countryside and they are very sensitive about this issue.

'Image problem'

Mr Eagers did admit that farmers have had a poor press in recent years.

He said: "The older generation of farmers were brought up with the idea that you simply had to produce.

"I think there are an increasing number who realise that we have to overcome this image problem with the public."

As well as replanting of hedgerows at Hopetoun, Mr Eagers has been making other habitat improvements, recreating a meadow and planting wild grass borders alongside streams.

The work has been going on for little more than two years but already he has seen a difference.

He said: "There is an increase in wildlife, though it may not yet be apparent to a layman.

"Restoration takes time, but it is vital, so that we can preserve the living countryside for future generations."