Dorset Wildlife Trust: Government's new policies "threaten nature, climate and food security"
The conservation charity is urging Dorset residents to put pressure on their MPs to act
Nature and wildlife conservation charity, Dorset Wildlife Trust, has joined environmental charities, politicians, farmers and campaigners alike in "outrage", saying it is concerned that the "Government is not tackling the nature and climate crises with the urgency required".
It follows recent announcements by Liz Truss' Government, which include a new planning and infrastructure bill as well as investment zones as part of growth plans.
In addition, the Government is preparing to revoke hundreds of EU environment laws which protect wild places and ensure standards of water quality, pollution and the use of pesticides.
Speaking to us Brian Bleese, Chief Executive of Dorset Wildlife Trust said:
"We are deeply concerned about these plans to weaken the legal protections for nature at a time when it is already in such a vulnerable state.
"It goes against the explicit promises the UK Government made in their 2019 manifesto and the mandate they were elected to govern on, whilst putting wildlife and green spaces in Dorset at extreme risk."
"Much of our environmental law to protect nature as come through EU law an adopted into UK legislation. The protection is based on water quality standards, pollution and many other things. So losing that law and not being entirely sure of what's going to replace it... We really want to see strong legislation that helps protect our natural environment both nationally and in Dorset.
Mr Bleese also described feeling worried about the Government's decision to lift the ban on fracking in England, which has been met with opposition from environmental campaign groups and local authorities across the country.
“There is no evidence being brought forward that fracking is safe and many people are concerned about this. We don’t know what the long-term effects are or the immediate impacts could be in specific areas.
"There needs to be a lot more research and science on this before any decisions on fracking are made."
Concerns have also been raised over the effects of a possible U-turn on plans to support environmentally-friendly farming.
Last week, the Government announced a 'review' of the long-awaited Environmental Land Management schemes - which were designed to reward farmers for restoring nature, preventing pollution from entering rivers and climate-proofing their businesses.
Brian Bleese, from Dorset Wildlife Trust said:
"Reversing plans to support nature-friendly farming and abandoning regulations that protect nature could decimate local wildlife, which is already suffering steep declines.
"Since 1970, more than 40% of species have declined in abundance, with 26% of mammals at risk of disappearing altogether. In Dorset over 400 species recorded in the past are now thought to be extinct in the county.
"There could have been a real step in the right direction to reverse those declines, by making more space for nature in the countryside. There's a great danger that this will instead take a step back for us and we will see far less space dedicated to nature in our countryside."
Putting pressure on politicians to act
Dorset Wildlife Trust is urging its members, supporters and the wider public to "defend nature" by contacting their MPs and local councillors and voice concerns.
A spokesperson for the charity said:
"These proposals have already caused outrage among environmental and conservation charities, politicians of all political persuasions, farmers, campaigners, and members of the public – many of whom are concerned that the Government is not tackling the nature and climate crises with the urgency required."
"We are calling on the public to contact their elected representatives and tell them just how concerned they are about these dangerous plans, and to let our leaders know that such deregulation is unacceptable.
"These destructive proposals will affect not just Dorset's wildlife and wild places, but also the green spaces where we live, food security and our fight against the impacts of climate change.”
You can find information and contact details about your local MP and local councillors via the WriteToThem website, at https://www.writetothem.com/