EUROPEAN Union laws and poor management by government agencies, are threatening agriculture on Exmoor and other moorlands in the south West.

Just what the future holds for farmers in moorland districts is indicated in a hard-hitting report commissioned by the Exmoor Society and published this month.

Called Moorlands at the Crossroads it is the first in-depth look at moorlands for 20 years and warns that reforms of the EU's Common Agricultural Policy pose a danger because they will make centuries-old tradition of cattle grazing uneconomical for farmers.

"Moorlands are of much greater value to society than was previously understood. They provide a wide range of public and private benefits in terms of their landscape, historic and cultural environment, wildlife and natural resources, recreational use and farming practices," said Rachel Thomas, chairman of the Exmoor Society."

"After 50 years of designation, 30 years of moorland debate and ten years of ESA management there should be wider recognition of the moorlands' special qualities and, crucially, more favourable management of them."

She said there were difficult challenges for DEFRA's new integrated agency and its relationship with the Exmoor National Park Authority and it was over agricultural management that there was most disagreement.

The Exmoor Society has 2,700 members and is committed to sustaining the unique value of Exmoor, promoting the prosperity of its farms and villages, and the welfare of the people who live and work there. It wants urgent action on a variety of issues not least grazing.

Without grazing, moorland will turn quickly to scrub, destroying rare plants and wildlife habitats and blocking access, says the report carried out by Land Use Consultants, based in Bristol.

But while highlighting agriculture on Exmoor the findings are expected to affect all moorland farmers.

They have the skills and knowledge honed over generations which are crucial to the future of moorlands.

The main Common Agricultural Policy reforms, to be implemented next year, will mean a 37 per cent drop in income for moorland farmers, says the report and alleges a "lack of consensus" between government agencies over their aims for moorlands and the best ways of achieving those aims.

There is a need for public policy to address the economic and cultural benefits provided by the moorlands which will not be picked up through agri-environment schemes or decoupled CAP support, say Land Use Consultants.

"This implies a continuing important role for LFA support running into the next Rural Development Programme. It is hoped that Defra will take this into account in its next review of the Hill Farm Allowance Scheme."

In the majority of cases, responsibility for undertaking, or initiating the action, lies with the NPA.

English Nature says that 40 per cent of Exmoor's sites of special scientific interest are not in a good condition for biodiversity.

Moorlands were of much greater value to society than was previously understood but much of the work to maintain them was haphazard and piecemeal.