Plans to scrap nature-friendly farm subsidies put biodiversity target ‘at risk’

Natural England chief says pledge to stop biodiversity loss by 2030 will not be met if scheme is cut

The government will not meet its commitments to stop biodiversity loss by 2030 if it scraps new payments to incentivise wildlife-friendly farming in England, the head of its nature watchdog has said.

Tony Juniper, the chair of Natural England, told the environment secretary, Ranil Jayawardena, in a letter this week that if the government did not keep its commitment to move from area-based farm payments to public money for public goods" - rewarding farmers for work to replenish soil, prevent floods and restore pollinators - it will not meet its legally binding target to halt biodiversity decline by 2030.