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50 YEARS OF WILDLIFE PROTECTION? SSSIs Celebrate Half Century: 7th July 1999
13 April 1999
Media BriefingTuesday 13th April 1999SSSIs Celebrate Half Century: 7th July 1999
Even the 6,400 key Sites and Areas of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs and ASSIs) in the United Kingdom, supposedly protected by the Act, continue to suffer loss and damage at the rate of over 300 a year. According the Government wildlife advisers English Nature, 45% of SSSIs are in an "unfavourable" condition. Friends of the Earth are demanding that a new Wildlife Bill, promised by Labour in its Election manifesto, should be included in this Autumn's Queen's Speech and turned into law.
The press pack attached to this Briefing Note [2] gives up to date information on damage to SSSIs and on our campaign for better wildlife and countryside protection. The pack contains:
*A short introductory paper on the history of SSSIs, including high profile site issues
*A fact sheet on the present levels of wildlife destruction
*Details on the Wildlife Bill presently going through Parliament
*Comprehensive information is also available on FOE's web site dedicated to this issue at www.foe.co.uk/wildplaces.
Recent examples of damage to SSSIs include:
*Seal Sands (Teeside) - acid spill from an ICI subsidiary
- species affected include seals and coastal birds
*Rosenannon Down (Cornwall)- arson damage
- lizards, snakes, heathland and rare birds
*Hatfield Moor (S Yorks)- peat extraction
- rare birds, butterflies
FOE can provide information for features and stories, together with visuals and contacts with other organisations, experts and leading conservation figures. FOE campaigners will be available for interview and analysis, locally, regionally and nationally.
NOTES TO EDITORS:
[1] The 7 July 1949 saw the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act passed through its stages in the House of Lords.
[2] For copies of press pack ring 020 7490 1555.
If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.
Published by Friends of the Earth Trust
Last modified: Jul 2008
