Jersey Farmers’ Union president Graham Le Lay says that his members are becoming increasingly disillusioned by government reports, environmental groups and ornithologists who blame farmers for the decline in the numbers of songbirds and other species such as butterflies and honey bees.
‘Farmers are getting a little punch-drunk with environmentalists knocking them all the time,’ he said. ‘The farmers aren’t very good at defending themselves because they are out working long hours, but they are getting increasingly upset.’
Mr Le Lay acknowledged that some farmers could improve their land management practices, but that overall, the industry was increasingly improving its environmental credentials.
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