FURTHER to my letter of November 25, and subsequent publication concerning declining wild birds and other wildlife in our countryside due to modern farming methods, I see the National Farmers Union is to oppose plans by the Government to divert 15 per cent of agricultural subsidies towards environmental issues, on the grounds this would help destroy farming in the UK.

What a shameful argument by the farming lobby against measures that would help ease the serious plight of our native wildlife.

The subsidies we pay to our farming industry under the Common Agricultural Policy effectively cost every man, woman and child in this country £250 a year.

If farmers feel they cannot manage with this relatively modest reduction to their all-too generous cash handout, then they should consider getting out of the business altogether and trying something else.

Mr E Whiteley, Abelton Grove, Haxby, York.