More farmers than ever are signing up to ëgreen' farming schemes set up to protect the countryside. The amount of land covered by Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) schemes has increased by nearly 100,000 hectares or 18 per cent in the last three years to more than 600,000 hectares.

ESA agreements operate in world-renowned parts of Britain like Exmoor, the Norfolk Broads and the Pennines, and encourage farmers to maintain and enhance important areas through traditional farming practices.

NFU environment chairman John Seymour said: “These areas are some of the most spectacular in Britain and part of what makes our countryside so special.

It is crucial that they continue to be managed in a way that enhances their natural beauty and important wildlife populations. That is why it is such good news that the numbers of farmers signed up to these agreements has increased so dramatically.”