More than 40 per cent of England's wildlife sites are in poor condition, a report from English Nature finds today.

A spokeswoman for Defra told ePolitix.com: "We acknowledge the report's findings by English Nature. Triple SI's are a high priority area.

"However, we are currently undergoing a resource allocation exercise, the culmination of which is March 2004. We will bear in mind the findings of the report when we conclude this exercise."

Norman Baker, environment spokesman, said: "This is yet another environmental target the government will miss, along with cutting traffic, lowering emissions and reducing waste.

"I congratulate English Nature on these findings, but fear it is critical reports like these that have led the government to recommend its abolition.

"The government is quite simply not taking the environment seriously. Under Labour these nature havens are Sites of Seriously Suspended Investment."

Forum Response: English Nature

Dr Andy Brown, chief executive of English Nature, said: "I believe this scientific survey is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and it has been a fantastic achievement to survey over 1 million hectares of English coastline and countryside.

"The government has made a commitment to the public to ensure 95 per cent of all SSSIs are in favourable condition by 2010. Our work shows where this is being achieved, where the problems are and what needs to be done to address them.

"Meeting this challenge will be a huge effort for everyone. English Nature is working with thousands of individuals and organisations in partnership, to tackle the sites that are not improving. We must recognise that improving and maintaining England's natural assets needs ongoing investment, alongside changes to legislation and the reform of environmentally-damaging policies."

Forum Response: The Woodland Trust

A spokesman for the Woodland Trust told ePolitix.com: "We welcome the publication of this report in drawing attention to the condition of our natural heritage which makes such an important contribution to the national quality of life.

"What it shows is that there is clearly a good way to go before it is placed upon a more sustainable footing. We also believe that what passes for 'favourable condition' in fact needs to re-addressed since at present this does not include the condition of adjacent landuse which has such a critical bearing on the sites' condition.

"Nor does it address the impact of climate change which represents the single biggest threat to critical habitats such as ancient woodland."

Forum Response: National Farmers Union

Dr Andrew Clark, NFU Environment and Rural Affairs team leader said: "The report shows that 58 per cent of SSSIs such as arable farmland are in a good or recovering state, mainly due to the voluntary efforts of farmers who have managed them in accordance with English Nature's guidelines.

"The principal cause of poor management is recorded as overgrazing. However this is reversible and need not result in permanent damage to SSSIs.

"Equally, it is the complete loss of grazing that has occurred on many lowland heath lands that has led to costly management having to be reintroduced to protect sites. Farmers are keen to work with English Nature to maintain sustainable farm businesses in which SSSIs can be protected.

"English Nature suggest a five-pronged approach to address the condition of SSSIs. We would agree that increased funding and more advice to sustain and reintroduce good management is needed urgently, as is joined up government policies. However, we regard the greater use of regulation as a last resort."