Archived press release

TIME'S UP FOR WILDLIFE. 50 Years On: Wildlife Laws Failing But Labour Not Acting

7 July 1999

Britain's most precious wildlife sites are being destroyed at an alarming rate, says a new study from Friends of the Earth. The study - “SSSIs: R.I.P.” - is published on the day of the 50th anniversary of the 1949 law that set up Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) [1].

As the report is published, Labour backbenchers will press the Government to include a Countryside Bill, linking wildlife protection with public access, in this Autumn's Queen's Speech. MPs Gordon Prentice and David Lepper, and the Labour Party Environment Protection Group, will be holding a press conference with Wildlife and Countryside Link calling for a Countryside Bill this year. The Conference will build the pressure on the Government following Labour's poor performance in the Euro Elections.

The FOE study examines the destruction of habitats, extinction of species and loss and damage to 50 top wildlife sites since 1949. In that time dozens of plants and animals have become extinct in the UK. Key habitat types such as peatlands and meadows have declined by more than 90%. Hundreds of key wildlife sites have been lost altogether. FOE's report indicates the toll of damage is continuing unchecked. Every year over 300 SSSIs suffer loss and damage according to official data. English Nature has reported that neglect of sites is an even greater problem with 45 per cent of SSSIs in an'unfavourable' condition.

Friends of the Earth is campaigning for new laws to improve protection of these sites. Labour has promised a new Countryside Bill to protect wildlife, but John Prescott's Environment Department has yet to get agreement to include it in the next Queen's Speech. Pressure for action is growing from Labour backbenchers after the Party's haemorrhage of support to the greens in the European Elections.

Matt Phillips, FOE Wildlife Campaigner said:
“Almost every day since Labour came to power an important wildlife site has suffered damage. This toll of destruction stretches the credibility of Labour's manifesto pledge to 'give greater protection to wildlife'. The laws that gave us countryside protection are 50 years old today. Without comprehensive improvement many of our finest wildlife sites will not be around in another 50 years. If Labour is serious about the environment, wildlife protection must be in the next Queen's Speech.”

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