The Commission, which drafts EU laws, says farmers should have to work for part of their subsidies by helpingwildlife - diversifying crops, leaving grassland unploughed and creating special ecological areas.
"We've been exploring using culverts as a way to alleviate flooding and protect human safety, as well as helping fish and wildlife, " said Connie Prickett of the Adirondack chapter of The Nature Conservancy.