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| Forsinard |
100 voluntary organisations across the UK have joined forces to
call for the protection of Europe’s natural environment
EU legislation –
the Birds and Habitats Directives – exist to protect the most important
wildlife species and habitats in the UK and Europe. However, these laws are now
under review and at risk of being weakened.
Today, the
‘Joint Links group’, representing 100 voluntary organisations across the UK,
has published a position statement warning that the European Commission’s REFIT
‘Fitness Check’ of the Birds and Habitats Directives is the single biggest
threat to UK and European nature and biodiversity in a generation.
The
organisations raise concerns that the Directives are under threat of being
weakened by those who mistakenly regard them as a block on business and
economic growth. In the current political context any revision of the
Directives would expose them to prolonged uncertainty and leave the long-term
future of Europe’s biodiversity vulnerable to short-term political priorities.
Chair of the
Joint Links’ Habitats and Birds group Kate Jennings, (RSPB), said: “The
Habitats and Birds Directives are the foundation of nature conservation across
Europe and are scientifically proven to be effective where properly
implemented. The Directives deliver demonstrable benefits for nature, as well
as significant social and economic benefits.
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| Dartford Warbler |
“For over 30
years they have protected some of our best loved and most iconic landscapes
from the Scottish Flow County to the sand dunes and marshes of the north
Norfolk coast. They are essential to the protection of species large and small,
from the Basking Shark and the Harbour Porpoise, to the Dartford Warbler and
the Hazel Dormouse.
“The strength of
support from 100 voluntary organisations across the UK shows how significant
the Directives are in safeguarding Europe’s biodiversity. Uncertainty over the
future of the Directives resulting from the ‘Fitness Check’ review could be bad
for nature, bad for people and bad for business.”
The Joint Links
group’s response to the EC consultation sets out a huge volume of evidence that
demonstrates the effectiveness of the Directives in protecting nature,
providing huge benefits for people and providing a stable framework for
responsible businesses.
On 30 April
the European Commission launched its public consultation on the Directives.
Voluntary organisations have also today launched the ‘Nature Alert’ electronic
tool, enabling the public to have their say in one easy click www.naturealert.eu
http://www.rspb.org.uk/community/getinvolved/b/specialplaces/archive/2014/11/20/the-laws-that-protect-nature-for-nature-s-sake.aspx
http://www.rspb.org.uk/joinandhelp/campaignwithus/defendnature/
WATCH THE VIDEO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I873QOiD0xE
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