The government is failing to deliver a third of its commitments to
protect the natural environment, a report says.
It has been compiled by 41 organisations, including The Wildlife
Trusts and the RSPB, under the umbrella of Wildlife and Countryside
Link.
The proportion of the 25 commitments that are falling through has
worsened during the government’s term, it says.
Environment department Defra rejected many of the criticisms, saying
they were based on “opinion, not facts”.
The Nature Check 2013 report says areas of concern include protection
of green belt land, farm animal welfare, designation of Marine
Conservation Zones and reversing wildlife declines.
But the document does praise reform of the Common Fisheries Policy,
work on ash dieback and international work to protect elephants,
rhinos and whales.
The report rates four of the government’s commitments to the natural
environment as green – meaning good progress – with 12 amber (moderate
progress) and nine red (failing). Of the commitments rated in a
similar report a year ago, 20% have got worse and 10% have improved,
it says.
The report urges the government to implement the Common Agricultural
Policy so that it delivers as much as possible for wildlife and the
countryside.
‘Message is clear’
“David Cameron promised the greenest government ever. Using the
government’s own promises as a yardstick, today’s findings show he’s
failed to stick to his plan,” said Wildlife and Countryside Link’s
director, Dr Elaine King.
Alongside the report, the 41 organisations published a ComRes survey
of more than 2,000 adults, which they say suggests public support for
action on nature, wildlife and the countryside.
Some 83% of British adults believe the natural environment should be
protected at all costs, the survey suggests, but a quarter think the
government is doing enough to protect landscapes and wildlife.
“The message from the public is clear – they want healthy seas and
landscapes providing rich habitats for thriving wildlife,” said Dr
King.
Commenting on the report, a spokesman for the Department for
Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: “While this report
acknowledges some of our achievements to date, many of the criticisms
are unjustified and based on opinion, not facts.
“Our ambitions are long term and we are making good progress.” – BBC Nature
