A Starved And Toothless Watchdog Could Do Little For Our Quality Of Life

29.09.06

As Natural England, the new official watchdog for landscape and wildlife comes into being, there is a real risk it will be too poor and too weak to make a difference.

This is the concern of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) [1] as Natural England takes over from the work of English Nature, the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service from 1 October.

‘Natural England has been set up to be the nation’s independent watchdog for landscape, wildlife and access to the countryside. But savage cuts to its core funding mean that the organisation is seriously weakened even as it embarks on its crucial work,’ said Tom Oliver, Head of Rural Policy at CPRE. [2]

One of the most important aspects of Natural England’s work should be to make a substantial contribution to safeguarding the quality of life for everyone. CPRE is particularly keen that Natural England should show leadership in establishing robust and effective monitoring of countryside quality and in particular, tranquillity. This was promised by the Government in 2000 and has yet to be fully achieved.

‘There is also a long term threat to the level of funding Natural England will be able to award to farmers to manage and enhance our landscapes and the wildlife that inhabits them. The farming community has been told for years that it should commit itself to delivering things the public want - healthy, abundant wildlife, characterful landscapes and more extensive public access to the countryside.

Unless the Government acts swiftly and decisively, there simply won’t be the resources available for farmers to undertake environmentally sensitive land management,’ Tom Oliver continued.

‘Natural England faces huge challenges before it has even begun its work. We look forward to working with the new agency to help it secure the resources it needs to deliver a high quality environment for town and country.’

NOTES FOR EDITORS

1. CPRE, the Campaign to Protect Rural England, is a charity which promotes the beauty, tranquillity and diversity of rural England. We advocate positive solutions for the long-term future of the countryside. Founded in 1926, we have 60,000 supporters and a branch in every county. President: Sir Max Hastings. Patron: Her Majesty The Queen.

2. After inheriting a substantially reduced budget for 2005/6 from its predecessor agencies, Natural England has had to find a further £12.9m in savings as well as a separate £3m ‘efficiency saving’.

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