FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday 22 September 1999    

The Government is coming under increasing pressure to live up to its Manifesto promise to improve Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) protection - SSSIs and National Parks are 50 years old this year.

In his message to the Association of National Park Authorities, the Prince says “Perhaps it is a good moment to reflect on the fate of all those other special areas of our countryside which do not enjoy such protection. In such a crowded island, our landscape - and the incredible diversity of wildlife it supports - will always be under pressure from intensive and inappropriate development, intensive agricultural and forestry practices, road-building and a host of other activities which, while they may individually seem reasonable, have a devastating cumulative effect. There is no simple answer to these problems, other than to seek tougher safeguards for the areas of special interest and to keep reminding ourselves of the price we pay for development.”

Charles Secrett, Director of Friends of the Earth said:

“Once again the Prince has hit the nail on the head. Over 300 SSSIs suffer damage every year . The laws protecting them are totally inadequate - and our wildlife is suffering death by a thousand cuts. The Government has promised to act, but has so far failed to deliver. Mr Blair must act now and introduce a wildlife bill this year.”

ENDS