Archived press release

Top scientists unite against wildlife research cuts

2 March 2006

Scientists, environmentalists, and leading wildlife organisations spoke out today (Thursday 2 March) against plans to close five wildlife research stations, put forward by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC). In an open letter, the leading experts, including Sir David Attenborough and 31 top scientists, say closing the centres will undermine the Government's ability to make policy decisions on the environment and wildlife [1].

Members of the NERC meet on 8 March to decide on the cuts, which will mean the closure of the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH) leading research stations at Monks Wood, Winfrith and Banchory, all of which have a world class reputation for high-quality biodiversity and species research, including research into the impacts of climate change on UK wildlife, as well as the loss of 200 jobs.

The letter, which will also be sent directly the NERC's board members [2], says that the research centres play a vital role in providing the key evidence needed by the Government in order to meet its international commitment to halt biodiversity loss.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Tony Juniper said:

"These research centres are crucial in providing the science we need to avoid further environmental decline. We are already feeling the early impacts of climate change and it is essential that we closely monitor the effects of global warming on Britain's wildlife. Closure of these research centres has not been justified either financially or scientifically and no credible alternative has been put forward. Ministers must intervene and stop this short-sighted and unjustified cull of Britain's research facilities from going ahead."

The Monks Wood centre, which hosted the BBC's Spring Watch programme, pioneered work on DDT and pesticides in the 1960s, and more recently revealed how changes to the climate were affecting the behaviour of wildlife, suggesting a fundamental shift in the pattern of the seasons, with spring arriving three weeks earlier. The research centres were also involved in assessing the impacts of GM crops on wildlife, with their findings contradicting claims made by industry that no harm would be caused.

Notes

[1] Copies of the letter and a full list of signatories are available from the press office at Friends of the Earth and can be viewed online at: www.foe.co.uk/resource/media_briefing/timesletter.pdf (PDF)

[2] Submissions to the NERC's earlier consultation will be available on the NERC website.

†To view PDF files you will need to download Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these documents from access.adobe.com.

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