FWAG to make statement on its future

The Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group is in emergency talks to secure a future for the organisation, Farmers Weekly has learned.

Senior officials within FWAG said they were mounting a rescue attempt after a difficult year for the agricultural environment charity.

FWAG has sustained heavy losses since it was hit by funding cuts under the government’s comprehensive spending review in autumn 2010. It has also suffered from a downturn in HLS applications.

A recent legal judgement added further financial woe. The courts ruled that FWAG’s historic assets could no longer be used to secure lending, which led to the banks pulling their support.

Trustees are now reported to be seeking emergency funding to sustain the national organisation as they believe its future prospects are considerably brighter.

FWAG is an independent charity providing environmental and conservation advice to farmers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

It was established in 1969 by a group of farmers who were concerned about the loss of habitat and wildlife.

A voluntary committee of local farmers supports each group together with representatives from the agriculture industry and environmental sectors to ensure we are farmer-led organisations.