LANCASHIRE farmers could be missing out on government conservation grants, according to a farming charity.
The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group blamed complicated paperwork and lack of training for the problem.
Jeff Simpkin, farm conservation adviser, said: "Someone who wishes to restore hedges may be right in thinking it would be appropriate for a Countryside Stewardship grant. "But he may miss out on grants for cleaning out ponds, pollarding willows or managing field margins."
The Countryside Stewardship Campaign was launched on April 1, 1996, and is designed to restore local habitats such as hedgerows, ponds and meadows.
Mr Simpkin said too many farmers missed out on the grant because of complicated paperwork and a lack of training to look at familiar land with an objective eye.
FWAG is a charity which offers help and advice to farmers to make the most of available grants.
The Lancashire FWAG adviser can be contacted at Myerscough College on 01995 640611.
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article