Archived press release

Wildlife Bill Launched

3 November 1998

A new Wildlife Bill to improve protection for the UK's best wildlife areas has been launched by David Lepper MP (Labour and Co-operative, Brighton Pavilion) supported by a number of other MPs. The new Bill puts into law the Wildlife Charter which is supported by 292 MPs across all parties in one of the most popular Parliamentary resolutions of this session. The Charter was launched by 22 environmental organisations in November 1997 [1].

The Bill was presented to Parliament in the House of Commons today [Tuesday 2 November] and includes clauses [2] to strengthen protection of the UK's best wildlife areas, Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) as well as protect species such as whales and dolphins. Key sites such as Thorne and Hatfield Moors SSSIs in Yorkshire could be saved through the proposals which include powers for the Secretary of State for the Environment to reduce or revoke damaging minerals permissions. The extraction of peat by Levingtons at Thorne Moor has proved to be one of the most controversial SSSI issues attracting fervent local and national opposition.

The Bill would strengthen powers to protect SSSIs under the planning system and through allowing management orders to be applied to counter the problem of neglect and including incentives for positive management by landowners.

David Lepper said: “By supporting the Wildlife Charter, MPs recognised the need for conservation of biodiversity. This Bill turns the wishes of the Charter into practical measures that will result in healthier Downland on the South Downs and better bogs in Yorkshire. The ploughing up of part of an important SSSI at Offham Down near my own constituency last year shows how great is the need for more protection.”

Tony Juniper of Friends of the Earth and chair of the Wildlife and Countryside Link Wildlife Legislation Group said: “David Lepper has taken a tremendous initiative with this Bill. By supporting it, MPs will be recognising the broad public support for better legal protection for wildlife. Every year over 300 SSSIs are damaged and almost half are in an unfavourable state. Urgent action is needed.”

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] The Charter highlighted failings in wildlife laws and was supported by both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats as well as by many Labour, Plaid Cymru and Northern Irish MPs. Yesterday (2 November) 22 organisations launch a “10 Point Wildlife Challenge” to the Government to improve wildlife protection with comprehensive new wildlife laws and policies.

[2] The clauses for the Bill are as follows:
1 Statutory purpose for nature conservation legislation and duty of care
2 Powers of entry for wildlife agency staff
3 Legislative basis for biodiversity action plans
4 Extension of powers to protect species at sea
5 Protection for species outside SSSIs
6 Management and stop order making powers
7 National importance of all SSSIs
8 Restoration orders and penalties
9 Bye-laws
10 Positive management of SSSIs and local wildlife sites
11 Planning controls
12 Old mining permissions
13 Planning controls on undertakers
14 Name of Act and Northern Ireland

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust