Several species that formerly
thrived in Western Europe were driven to Eastern Europe,
the report says. The 15 current member states have less
farmland birds than the eight newcomer states.
BirdLife International's
Giovanna Pisano said, "These countries have got an immense
richness in wildlife, but unless they are able to use
EU money in a proper way we will see a massive decline
in farmland birds and a massive reduction in biodiversity."
The report says the number
of turtle doves in Europe has decreased by 61 percent
since 1980, skylarks by 40 percent and lapwings by 63
percent.
While ornithologists acknowledged
the progress being made in reforming the EU's common agricultural
policy, they said that too little funding was available
for rural development and conservation (Andrew Osborn,
London Guardian, Jan. 23).
Copyright, National Journal
Group, 2004
