A LEADING wildlife research charity is concerned that some farmers may miss out on new payments if they do not get their act together.

The Game Conservancy Trust says the entry level agri-environment scheme, due to start in 2005, will pay a minimum of £30/ha for a range of measures to help wildlife on farms. The ELS is part of the switch from production to environmental payments.

The trust believes it could halt the decline of certain groups of farmland wildlife and restore lost biodiversity.

The scheme draws heavily on the trust's research, which shows how agricultural landscapes can be imrpoved for wildlife through the introduction of habitats such as beetle banks, conservation headlands, set-aside strips and careful hedgerow maintenance.

The trust's demonstration farm at Loddington, Leicestershire, has introduced one-day workshops for those with small and medium-sized farms, to help them comply with the scheme.

The workshops comprise mainly training in habitat management options available under ELS; information on Biodiversity Action Plan species targeted for conservation, such as brown hare and grey partridge, and guidance on the responsible use of pesticides.

The subsidised fee for the Pathfinders one-day course, including a 12-month support programme, is £30 and includes a support pack and the opportunity to attend an additional day one year later.