Archived press release

FOE welcomes government biodiversity plans

15 May 1996

Friends of the Earth today welcomed the Government's new biodiversity strategy [1] which identifies hundreds of key species and habitats in need of action to halt their decline.

Tony Juniper, Deputy Campaigns Director of Friends of the Earth said:"This is a good start and could achieve a great deal in reversing the decline in some of our most threatened species and habitats. We are especially pleased that it is supported by the transport, agriculture and trade and industry Ministries since it is the policies of these Government departments that have caused most damage to our natural environment."

However, English Nature, the Government's statutory conservation agency which will be responsible for most of the action, has suffered a 3.1 per cent cutback in funding this year Juniper said: "We are seriously concerned that English Nature will not be able to perform all its duties and these additional commitments without more money. Giving enough money to English Nature would have an insignificant effect on Government expenditure compared to the billions of pounds spent on destroying biodiversity through the agriculture and roads budgets."

One of the species which the Government is now committed to protecting is Desmoulin's whorl snail (Vertigo moulinsiana) - which has a major stronghold on the route of the controversial Newbury Bypass. Juniper said:"We would consider conservation of Desmoulin's snail and the designation of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for it at Newbury as the acid test of the Government's commitment to these action plans."

Recent events give cause for concern that all Government departments are not committed to biodiversity policies. The Ministry of Agriculture plotted the downfall of the Wildlife Bill - which would give additional protection to SSSIs and is supported by the DOE - with the result that Matthew Banks(Conservative, Southport) talked it out' at committee stage last Wednesday. Juniper said: "It will be interesting to see if Environment Secretary Mr Gummer can talk his Cabinet colleagues round and give the Bill Government time in order to rescue it after Mr Banks did so much damage."

ENDS

Notes to editors

[1] The Government today launched its response to the UK Steering Group Report on Biodiversity commiting itself to action plans for 116 threatened species and 14 habitats and proposing more plans for 286 species and 24 habitats.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust