A CASE for more spending on the countryside is contained in a report by a conservation organisation which says new contracts are needed between farmers and taxpayers, writes Roy Lewis.

The report by World Wildlife Fund says more money is needed to pay farmers to care for the countryside. This would deliver widespread benefits for nature, farm incomes and for the rural economy.

Research on case study farms, including some in Herefordshire, shows that a wide range of species and habitats would benefit -- from otters to lapwings and from meadows to woods.

The reports says that farmers would like to do more for nature. "Paying farmers can help to support incomes, and improve the quality and welfare of farm livestock.

"Payments need to be set at rates that fairly reward farmers for participating, especially when farming income from the market fails." WWF says that money makes the countryside go round with benefits for all. The countryside becomes a more attractive place to visit and in which to live and work. The report states that a review of the Countryside Stewardship Scheme in England found that some 30 full-time equivalent jobs were created for each £1 million spent on managing the countryside. To extend stewardship payment to seventy per cent of UK farmers would cost about £615 million a year; £410 million for England, £128 million for Wales, £46 million for Scotland, and £31 million for Northern Ireland.

The research covered Wye Valley farms with the report saying that some farmers have been farming to benefit the environment but have been inadequately paid.

Castle Farm, Ross-on-Wye, is featured in the study. Half of the 80-hectare, livestock and arable farm is organic and the farm has made a speciality of selling organic herbs and dried flowers. The farm is in the Countryside Stewardship Scheme.

Another farm used in the study was Lower House Farm, a 36-hectare holding on the English/Welsh border which runs from moorland at 600 metres down to the River Monnow. Agri-environment payments have meant changes but more money is needed.