This week (10th February 2005), Ministers are expected to launch a public consultation on a draft bill for their Rural Strategy. The final bill will have serious implications for the look, feel and quality of England's wildlife and countryside and the future of rural and farming communities.
In particular, the bill will propose a new Rural Agency to replace the various bodies with a rural remit, including English Nature.
At Friends of the Earth, we want the reforms to result in better protection for England's threatened bidiversity of wildlife species and habitats. The loss of English Nature must not mean losing English Nature's vital role as independent advisor and watchdog on protecting and extending England's biodiversity.
Read about Friends of the Earth's response to the threat to English Nature from the latest Haskin's Review.
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