Archived News February/ March 2006 Bird surveys show species turnaround Mar 31st The house sparrow is still the most common garden bird in England but no longer in other parts of the UK. The countryside and avian influenza Mar 30th The countryside will not be closed down in the event of an outbreak of avian influenza. Budget Leaves Out Rural Concerns Mar 27th This year's budget contained small changes to tax thresholds, and a new tax was introduced for those who drive the most polluting vehicles, prompting concern in the countryside that 'rural proofing' is not on the top of Mr Brown's 'to do' list Sporting property outperforms FTSE Mar 26th Scotland’s shooting, fishing and hunting estates are bringing in higher returns than the stockmarket, says CKD Galbraith. Green lane vote Mar 25th The Green Lanes Protection Group (GLPG) is urging peers to turn up and use their votes to ensure that no more peaceful green lanes are turned into rutted and muddy playgrounds by off-road motorbikes and 4x4 users. Royal Mail Seeks Lateral Thinking Mar 16th A new report tries thinking outside the box to provide solutions to the ever mounting problem of the viability of local post offices in rural areas. New bus service for hill villages Mar 15th A new publicly-funded bus service will provide a lifeline for communities in rural Northumberland and Cumbria. Residents fight cattle market bid Mar 14th Residents from a Herefordshire village are protesting over plans to relocate a cattle market to their area. Rural pensioners feeling the pinch Mar 8th Many pensioners in rural areas are missing out on a quality life through lack of funds, according to a new report. EU lifts British Beef Ban Mar 7th The European Union has today lifted a ten year ban on the export of British beef EH Announces War Memorial Grants Mar 1st English Heritage announces that it is to give nearly £100,000 in grants for war memorials across the country. More work needed on wildlife sites Feb 28th English Nature's latest assessment of England's best wildlife sites shows 70 per cent are now in target condition. Poultry register deadline Feb 27th The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), is bracing itself, as is the poultry industry and non-commercial poultry keepers for possible tighter measures to combat the risk of avian influenza in the UK. Village dismay over farmer's plan Feb 23rd Residents of a Kent village have opposed a farmer's plan to turn fields into wetlands and fishing lakes. Village News Feb 22nd regional newspaper's journalistic gems that may have been sadly neglected by the national press Be alert for signs of avian flu Feb 21st Now that H5N1 has been confirmed in a dead duck in France, everyone in the UK is being urged to report any unusual bird deaths. Bird Flu ‘Probably Already Here’ Feb 20th The threat of avian influenza arriving in the UK is currently classified as 'low risk' but Defra ornithologists say the disease might already be present. Small shops under threat Feb 19th Many small shops across Britain will have closed by 2015 as a result of aggressive competitive tactics by supermarkets, say MPs. Rural affairs marginalised Feb 18th A new study claims the Government has failed to boost the rural economy in areas that were stricken by Foot and Mouth Disease in 2001. Three weeks in which to register poultry Feb 8th The deadline for registering poultry flocks with 50 or more birds is 28 February 2006. Farmers Get Environmental Online Feb 6th A new initiative is aimed at helping farmers to keep track of changes in environmental legislation.