Archived press release

Government's wildlife watchdog in firing line

4 November 2003

Friends of the Earth has written to the Environment Secretary Margaret Becket, calling on her to confirm that the Haskin's review of England's wildlife, habitats and countryside agencies won't lead to the effective abolition of English Nature, the official environment watchdog that looks after our wildlife.

English Nature is thought to be in the firing line because of its track record in effectively challenging the Government over public interest matters including GM crops, road building and new and expanded ports, airports and runways. The Haskins review barely mentions the importance of protecting and increasing the diversity of wildlife - the report is believed to mention `biodiversity' only once.

Lord Haskins, the Prime Minister's personal advisor on countryside matters, is understood to be proposing downgrading English Nature's role as an independent voice and recommending that it instead be taken over by a Land Management Agency with a broad remit including promoting and delivering rural economic development.

Executive Director of Friends of the Earth, Tony Juniper, said:

"This review is being seen by many as the Government's way of muzzling an environmental watchdog that has shown its teeth. The Tories did the same to the old Nature Conservancy Council when it blocked destructive forestry plantations. Labour must not punish English Nature for opposing GM crops and to stop it getting in the way of Ministers' plans for more roads, ports, runways and reservoirs. Tony Blair should focus on delivering for wildlife not meddling with English Nature. "

The Haskins Review has not been an open public consultation and there has been no input from Friends of the Earth and many other key environmental organisations. The motivation for the review seems to be Number 10's concern to be seen to be delivering and Friends of the Earth fears that biodiversity issues will be over-ridden in the rush to deliver on narrow economic targets. Environmental issues are already far down the Government's list and wildlife issues particularly misunderstood and ignored within Whitehall.

Friends of the Earth fears the changes will lead to:

• loss of a independent internal critic

• Lack of a strong Government advocate for protection of already threatened wildlife sites

• Conflict of interest similar to the dangerous confusion in the former Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food (MAFF) which found it hard to champion both farming and consumer issues

• Growing threats to and direct loss of important species and habitats

If you're a journalist looking for press information please contact the Friends of the Earth media team on 020 7566 1649.

Published by Friends of the Earth Trust