Friends of the Earth’s Senior Nature Campaigner Paul de Zylva said:

“Dedicated conservation areas are a first step towards protecting our treasured wildlife which is under threat from modern farming methods, new roads, drought and climate change.

“But 12 sites are nowhere near enough to safeguard the £30 billion in health and welfare benefits that Britain’s natural environment brings in each year – economic growth should go hand in hand with bold political action to protect nature all throughout the country.

“The Government must show it’s serious about restoring habitats when it announces planning reforms in a few weeks – by saving forests and greenbelt from development and placing nature at the heart of its policies.”

ENDS

Notes to editors 

1. For more information see DEFRA's website
2. See also Friends of the Earth’s press statement ahead of the launch of the Government’s Natural Environment White Paper in June 2011.