The practice of maintaining large areas of agricultural landscape in Europe through subsidies is misguided. It has lead to the ruin of ecosystems and a warped public view of what the countryside should look like. Rewilding and a return to a more natural state would benefit everyone.
A couple of statistics I have just read in Monbiot (2013) add weight to this assertion; according to the UK national ecosystem assessment farming in Wales contributes £400 million a year to the national economy. Walking contributes £500 million and wildlife based activity* £1'900 million.
*includes conservation, wildlife tourism, academic and commercial research and other jobs that would not exist were it not for wildlife.
References
Monbiot, G. (2013) "Feral, rewilding the land, seas and human life". Penguin. London. pp-160
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