THE Countryside and Rights of Way Bill holds out so much hope for this country's wildlife -- but a logjam in the House of Lords could put in jeopardy that very promise of a brighter future.

This ground-breaking piece of countryside legislation is long overdue. Years of agricultural intensification-built development, neglect and deliberate damage has spelled disaster for our wild birds, other animals and plants.

With so few opportunities to update our wildlife laws, it would be a tragedy if the Bill were to be lost or delayed through lack of time.

The future of our wildlife hangs in the balance. Today, farmland birds such as skylarks, lapwings and yellowhammers are in alarming decline; 50,000 kilometres of hedgerows, 45pc of ancient woodland, one million village ponds and 90pc of our wildflower hay meadows have all disappeared. Even our most precious wildlife places -- Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) -- are being damaged at the rate of one a day.

The Bill is just one of 28 currently in the Government's timetable. It has attracted controversy because it will extend access to the open countryside -- introducing the so-called "right to roam".

Even before they have had the chance of detailed scrutiny, peers have tabled more than 300 amendments, which is why it is now at risk of running out of time.

The RSPB is asking everyone who cares about wildlife and the countryside to help by writing to their MP asking them to point out to the Environment Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister the importance of the Bill for wildlife.

The Society knows people care about the countryside -- for the sake of our wildlife, we cannot allow this Bill to fail.

Laurence Rose

RSPB Regional Manager