A strategic defence

ROBIN WHITEHEAD ties bird species’ decline to industrial farming (Letters, October 20) and suggests more mandatory constraints should be added to farmers’ excessive bureaucratic compulsions. Perhaps we should boost their income: 100% grants for solar panels for all farm buildings and grid connections (20plus years of income) and for modern studio/b&b buildings with fast internet (decades of income). Enhanced payments for hedge trims in February (betwixt fruits eaten and nesting). Substantial payments for every plant, bird, mammal, amphibian and insect species living in sustainable numbers. Farmers cherish their land and, if supported, will treat it and all that depends on it well —and that includes us. We could call it strategic defence investment.

Dr Arthur E. Smith, Lancashire