Government “fails wildlife”

Shooting Times

October 27, 2011

The Government is failing to deliver on its wildlife and landscape promises, according to a report compiled by an alliance of 29 of the UK?s leading environmental groups.

Wildlife and Countryside Link?s Nature Check, which is supported by groups including the Campaign to Protect Rural England, the RSPB and the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, concluded that of the 16 major commitments made by the Government on the natural environment, only two had been delivered well.

Paul Wilkinson, head of living landscapes for the Wildlife Trusts, which are also members of the Wildlife and Countryside Link, said: ?Government performance on the natural environment is a very mixed bag. We see leadership when it comes to economic recovery, but what about nature?s recovery?

?The Wildlife Trusts were encouraged by the hugely ambitious vision in the Natural Environment White Paper, but see no evidence that this is being driven forward across the Government. We need strong leadership now, more than ever.?

The rest of this article appears in the 26th October issue of Shooting Times.