Seize moment

Susan Davies of the Scottish Wildlife Trust rightly points out the environmental benefits which have come from some EU legislation and regulations (your report, 5 July). However, she has overlooked the serious impacts caused by two of the most controversial EU Policies on Agriculture and Fisheries. As someone who has worked in the field of nature conservation in Scotland since we joined the EU I have witnessed the huge decline in biodiversity and massive loss of species and wildlife habitats which has taken place and continues.

The reasons for these declines are complex but without doubt the main factor behind the loss of terrestrial habitats and wildlife has

been changing farming practices driven by the EU’S Common Agricultural Policy. The huge subsidies and grants (40 per cent of the EU budget) have encouraged ever more intensive farming. Despite widespread recognition that the CAP is a failure for other reasons than the environment (loss of jobs, cost, complexity, inequity and impact on Third World countries) it has defied reform for many years.

Grant schemes to encourage more environmentally friendly farming have had only very modest impact because of limited funding and poor design. Outside the EU there will be a great opportunity to devise sensible policies which support farming appropriately and encourage more environmentally friendly practices.

The EU’S Common Fisheries Policy has resulted in serious damage to our fish stocks, marine habitats and employment. Departure from the EU will return control to the UK of its territorial waters and be an opportunity to manage our seas more sympathetically and sustainably. I hope WWT and other conservation bodies will work together to seize the great opportunities for land use reform which lie ahead.

JOHN HUNT

York Road, North Berwick