Over 70% of Yorkshire and Humber region is in agricultural use. The nature of this use varies from upland sheep grazing, through arable cultivation to lowland wet grassland and flood plain grazing marsh. Each of these land uses produces a distinct habitat capable of supporting a wealth of wildlife, including rare arable plants, farmland birds and invertebrates.

Through the latter half of the twentieth century, the quality of this habitat declined due to ever more efficient and intensive agricultural techniques fuelled by a Common Agricultural Policy geared solely to increasing production. However, recent years have seen the tide begin to turn as farmers are increasingly rewarded for the biodiversity they support as well as their traditional agricultural products. In 2004, there were over 80,000ha under wildlife friendly management in the region through agri-environment schemes.

The region holds significant populations of corn buntings; 16% if the UK's upland hay meadows, which support species such as the fragrant orchid and pignut; and important populations of waders such as lapwing, curlew and snipe on the regions floodplain grazing marsh.

However, these species and habitats remain under pressure from changing agricultural management and the effects of climate change. There remains significant potential to restore and enhance farmland biodiversity though tools such as agri-environment schemes and wildlife friendly food that recognise the value of our farmland wildlife.