Archived press release

MPs join together to fight for wildlife

22 July 1999

MPs from across the party divide are to work together to tackle the crisis facing Britain's wildlife.As the political stakes continue to rise in Westminster over the Government's possible plans for the countryside, backbench MPs have seized the initiative and formed a new All-Party Group on Wildlife to force the pace of legislative reform.

Following the Labour Party's General Election pledge to ensure “greater protection for wildlife”,environment and conservation groups, members of the public and MPs have been calling on the Government to deliver tough new wildlife laws to protect our finest wildlife sites and our most endangered species [1]. Environment Minister Michael Meacher recently stated that he was seeking a legislative slot, at the “earliest possible opportunity”, for a Countryside Bill to include greater protection for wildlife. But Prime Minister Tony Blair has so far failed to say whether he thinks the Bill should be a high priority.

Yesterday, a group of backbench MPs from all the three main parties held the first meeting of the All-Party Group on Wildlife. Peers from the House of Lords also attended the meeting.

Helen Brinton MP, Chair of the new All-Party Group, said:
“The fact that MPs from across the political spectrum have come together to form this new group is an indication of the great importance that so many of us attach to wildlife conservation in this country. This is an issue of concern for millions of people and we very much hope that the formation of the group will encourage the Government to include tough new wildlife laws in this year's Queen's Speech”.

Craig Bennett, Wildlife Campaigner for Friends of the Earth said:
“Parliamentary pressure for tough new wildlife legislation has never been stronger.Many MPs now know that time is of the essence. With over 300 of our best wildlife sites being lost or damaged every year, any further delay means yet more destruction. Will Prime Minister Tony Blair mark the Millennium by finally giving our wildlife the protection it deserves, or will the year 2000 be marked by yet more of our precious wildlife being destroyed and lost forever?”

NOTES TO EDITORS

[1] Earlier this year, a quarter of a million “wildlife pledges” were delivered to No. 10 Downing Street and MPs have also commented on the large post bags they have been receiving from constituents on the issue. A massive 343 MPs have now signed a parliamentary resolution calling for tough new wildlife laws.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust