Wildlife experts fear Government environment plan is 'flawed' - The Stratford Observer

Wildlife experts fear Government environment plan is 'flawed'

Stratford Editorial 19th Jan, 2018   0

WILDLIFE chiefs in Warwickshire have raised an immediate concern over the Government’s long-term plan to protect the environment.

Prime Minister Theresa May revealed details of the 25 Year Environment Plan, which includes a pledge to eradicate all avoidable plastic waste in the UK by 2042.

Ian Jelley, director of living landscapes at Warwickshire Wildlife Trust, said: “In Warwickshire we welcome the news that the Government has finally recognised the importance of the natural environment. However, without legislation to underpin the 25 Year Environment Plan its future success seems limited from the outset.

“The natural environment is vital to our health and well-being and the 25 Year Environment Plan needs to be embedded across Government departments to ensure that housing, infrastructure, health and education all benefit from having nature properly integrated into their policies.




“We should be building in nature, not building on it. We hope that the Government will embrace the growing body of evidence which supports the value of the natural environment, and works with organisations like the Wildlife Trust to realise its vision of leaving the environment in a better condition for the next generation.”

Mr Jelley said both the Mrs May’s speech and the plan contained some “very encouraging words and ambitions for land and sea” but nationally The Wildlife Trusts believed the lack of legal underpinning was a fundamental flaw.


He added: “In addition, it is vital that the Prime Minister fulfils her intention to ensure there is no weakening of environmental standards as we leave the EU’s world leading environmental legal system. It is heartening that the Conservative party are saying they are backing nature’s recovery and our reconnection with it.

“However, we must have cross-party support and legislation if this plan is going to be implemented over the next 25 years – we must guard against a change of mood in a few weeks, months or years if these promises are to become a reality.”

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