Wildlife Scandal in Key Ministers' Back-yards

New research by Friends of the Earth reveals that some of the UK's best wildlife areas - Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) [1] - are being damaged or are under threat in Brian Mawhinney's constituency (see attachment). A similar situation exists in the constituencies of other senior Cabinet ministers, namely Mr Major, Mr Heseltine and Mr Gummer [2].

The Conservative Party Chairman's Peterborough constituency contains only about 3 SSSIs: all have been damaged (between 1991-94) or are under threat. The Nene Washes has also been recognised as of international importance [3]. Nationally, SSSIs are under unprecedented threat from a whole range of activities. Over 300 were officially reported as damaged or destroyed last year in Britain and many hundreds remain at risk [4].

On Saturday 30 September 1995, Friends of the Earth (FOE) local groups all over the country will be out on the streets urging the public to support stronger legislation to protect SSSIs. This will coincide with the launch of FOE's Wildlife Bill which would close some of the loopholes in the country's existing habitat protection laws [5].

Tony Juniper, Friends of the Earth's Habitats Campaigner said:

"The Government has consistently claimed that our wildlife laws give adequate protection to SSSIs. Yet this could not be further from the truth - the Chairman only has to look within his own constituency for evidence. Senior ministers are failing to look after important wildlife areas in their back-yard, let alone at the national level."

Tony Juniper continued:

"Friends of the Earth is urging the public to join the fight for wildlife sites and is calling on the Government to introduce tougher laws to protect SSSIs and safeguard our natural heritage."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS:

[1] Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) represent our very best sites for nature conservation and are unique and irreplaceable parts of our natural heritage. SSSIs are notified under the Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981, which is based on the voluntary principle. This means that landowners must consult if they are likely to damage sites. But there are few effective ways of stopping them if they wish to go ahead. Statutory Bodies (ie, the Highways Agency) and third parties are not covered by the law and cannot be prosecuted. There are approximately 6000 SSSIs around the country.

[2] 8, 9 and 4 SSSIs have been damaged or are at risk in Mr Major's Mr Heseltine'sand Mr Gummer's constituencies respectively.

[3] Some SSSIs have further designation according to their international importance. RAMSAR sites are designated for their global importance as wetlands (the UK currently has 95); Special Protection Areas (SPAs) are desiganted under an EU Directive for their importance as bird areas (the UK currently has 107); and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) are currently being proposed under another EU Directive for their species and habitats importance.

[4] Data on loss and damage to SSSIs is collected by the official Nature Conservation Agencies (English Nature, the Countryside Council for Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage). Friends of the Earth believes that official statistics - particularly in England and Scotland - underestimate the true extent of damage; only a proportion of sites are visited every year and some impacts are simply not recorded.

[5] Friends of the Earth's Wildlife Bill will give greater powers to the official Nature Conservation Agencies to protect SSSIs, and will also provide extra protection under planning law.