"However, near our village the farmers are now leaving broad belts of cover around the edges of their fields, and even putting in sunflowers and other flowers for seeds for wildlife."

They are being paid by the EU to do so. A few years ago there was a scheme for extra footpaths - the payment stopped and the footpath signs were taken down! I somehow can't see that scheme lasting after Brexit either - or much else of the Eu regulation.
Just at a time when the perverse payments to ruin the environment change, we leave.