A written Policy Statement will specify a commitment to wildlife and landscape conservation and enhancement and indicate how the Policy will be implemented.

It will also preclude the clearing of any primary forest or destruction of aquatic or terrestrial habitats of specific scientific or cultural interest.

Suppliers must provide and implement a whole farm conservation plan that addresses the conservation and enhancement of flora, fauna and landscapes. This should be to a standard laid down in UK ELS, or the national equivalent, where this exists. The existing wildlife habitats and landscape character should be assessed and evaluated and from this a plan should be prepared, implemented and periodically reviewed (at least every five years). The objectives of the plan should be to protect and encourage diversity of wildlife and respect and enhance landscape character. The assessment and evaluation need to be undertaken by those with appropriate skills.

Wildlife protection and enhancement proposals should:

• Promote the maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity and traditional landscapes both in and around the farmed area, by contributing to the delivery of local and/national biodiversity priorities (e.g. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans)
• Acknowledge and respect officially designated environmental sites and comply with local/national/international wildlife and other relevant legislation (e.g. Special areas of Conservation, Ramsar sites),
• Provide for the responsible management of existing areas of semi-natural habitat, such as field boundaries, watercourses, wetlands, botanically rich grassland and woodland. Field margins, including hedge bottoms and the sides of waterways can be valuable wildlife habitats, and there must be a policy for ensuring these are properly managed so that wildlife is protected and if possible enhanced. Particular care must be taken to avoid contaminating field margins when applying fertilisers and pesticides and there must be compliance with any statutory requirements regarding use in their proximity e.g. buffer zones,
• Take advantage of management options within set-aside rules to maximise the benefit of set aside land for wildlife (EU producers only),
• Consider the potential for creating areas of appropriate new habitat. Establish networks of habitat (wildlife corridors) by providing and maintaining rough grass strips adjacent to woodland and along the sides of ditches and hedges which join existing habitats on the farm holding,
• Encourage the take-up of conservation management advice
• Encourage participation in agri-environment schemes (if available)