Archived press release

Blair endorses campaign to stop "crazy" destruction of national wildlife site

15 April 1997

Labour leader Tony Blair gave his backing today to the campaign to stop the destruction of a national wildlife site on the Sussex Downs. Speaking during a visit to Sussex University, Mr Blair described the payment of Government subsidies to a local farmer to plough up a South Downs Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) as "crazy" and that Labour would not permit it.

Mr Blair also increased the pressure on Environment Secretary John Gummer to issue a Nature Conservation Order on the Offham SSSI, near Lewes, East Sussex, saying that Labour would issue such an order. FOE has asked Environment Secretary John Gummer to impose a NCO on the SSSI - which has been partially ploughed by local farmer Justin Harmer- and a decision is expected shortly.

Around 15 hectares of Clayton to Offham escarpment Site of Special Scientific Interest(SSSI), was ploughed last week by the farmer to grow flax. This is because the Ministry of Agriculture will pay him up to £590 per hectare for the crop as opposed to £40 per hectare under the Government's environmentally sensitive area scheme. Although Mr Harmer told police he won't plough any more of the SSSI, fears persist that he may re-start work at any time. Meanwhile a number of local people have occupied his land and are 'unploughing'the site which experts believe could recover.

As well as issuing a NCO on Offham SSSI and closing the 'flax-loophole', the Labour party has also pledged to institute a consultation process to establish "the best possible form of structure to manage and preserve the Sussex Downs." The Liberal Democrats have already said that they would save Offham SSSI and would introduce a Wildlife Bill to help safeguard the natural environment.

Matt Phillips, Wildlife Campaigner at Friends of the Earth, said:
"We welcome Mr Blair's backing for the protection of Offham SSSI and his commitment to close the 'flax loophole'. Both the Liberal Democrats and Labour agree that this important national wildlife site should be saved. The ball is now very much in Mr Gummer's court. If he wants to demonstrate his green credentials he should issue a Nature Conservation Order now."

Chris Todd, of Brighton and Hove Friends of the Earth, said:
"National Park status for the South Downs is now very much on the political agenda. The area is a huge natural asset which should be protected from the many threats it faces".

ENDS
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