GRASSLAND is too important a flood defence and anti-pollution measure to be turned into food crops, the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has said.
According to the trust, Britain's lowland grassland has been reduced by 97 per cent over the last 60 years.
Its chief executive Dr Rob Stoneman said grassland is a vital resource because it provides food for bees and the other pollinators vital to pollinate food crops, prevents soil erosion and helps the land retain and filter water, thus preventing flooding and pollution.
Together with other wildlife trusts, it is urging the Government to include grasslands when deciding a new EU grants regime for farmers.
The Wildlife Trusts' director Stephen Trotter said: "We are calling on ministers to take full account of the value of our remaining wildlife-rich grasslands and the threats they face as they make these decisions.”
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