Two powerful countryside organisations which, in the past, have been on opposite sides of the land management argument join together today in an effort to push reforms to the infamous Common Agricultural Policy.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Country Land and Business Association have in the past been on different sides when it comes to issues like protecting birds like magpies and crows but today they link to campaign for CAP reforms which would put more emphasis on good environmental practice.

As part of Europe-wide organisations for landowners and bird protection societies, they will tonight launch a bid in the European parliament to press for “more viable and sustainable farming systems that not only provides the food we all need but also environmental benefits such as cleaner water, reduced global warming and more biodiversity.”

Mark Avery, RSPB Director of Conservation, said: “Landowners and conservationists may not always see eye to eye but where reforming the CAP is concerned we are very definitely singing from the same hymn sheet.

“The current system needs to be overhauled to reward farmers properly for the environmental benefits they provide and which are so vitally important for protecting wildlife on farmland.

“Skylarks, lapwings and yellowhammers are an intrinsic part of the UK countryside, and we are very pleased to be joining forces with the CLA to help make sure they are still there for many years to come.”

CLA President and Yorkshire landowner William Worsley said: “We believe farming must be efficient and competitive and viable for the long term. We have found that on some crucial issues environmental groups - such as the RSPB - and land managers have a lot in common.”