An open letter to the new Environment Secretary, Andrea Leadsom MP

Dear Secretary of State,

Welcome to the best job in Whitehall. 

People love the landscapes and wildlife of this country but nature is in trouble: one in ten UK species are at risk of extinction and the pressures are growing. 

You have the opportunity and responsibility to do something about it by fulfilling the Conservative Party manifesto commitment “to restore UK biodiversity within 25 years”. 

We appreciate you will arrive to a big “to do list”, so here are our suggestions for what you might want to achieve within your first week, your first month and by Christmas. 

This week

The most urgent issue in your in-tray will be to secure the backing of the new Chancellor, Phillip Hammond, to continue the Government’s financial support for protecting nature through agreements with land managers and farmers, known as ‘agri-environment schemes’.

These schemes have saved many species from the brink of extinction including cirl bunting, corncrake, stone curlew and supported re-introductions such as the short-haired bumblebee. 

Andy Hay's image of an adult cirl bunting (rspb-images.com)

The immediate impact of Brexit has been to bring uncertainty over whether the UK Government will fulfil its commitment to existing and future agri-environment schemes and other critical  environmental funding currently received from the EU. Given both the commitment in the Conservative election manifesto commitment to “spend £3 billion from the Common Agricultural Policy to enhance England’s countryside” as well as your own statement in March this year that the “UK Government will absolutely continue in the short term to provide those subsidies whilst we think about what makes sense” we are sure that this will be your top priority too.

Keeping agri-environment schemes going across the UK - and cooperating with devolved administrations to do so - will be a key  to maintaining our natural environment and protecting British wildlife.  Certainty on this issue is needed now in order for farmers to have the clarity and confidence to proceed with applications that are currently sat waiting in the farm office.

Next month

The next urgent issue in your in-tray will be to consider the environmental implications of leaving the European Union – particularly with reference to the laws that protect nature which are derived from EU legislation such as the Birds and Habitats Directives (see our Defend Nature campaign) but also sectoral policies for agriculture and fisheries.

There is jeopardy and opportunity here for wildlife.

On the one hand the loss of the Habitat Regulations – proven to increase the populations of threatened species - would result in reduced protection of 80% of our finest wildlife sites.  To fulfil the Conservative election manifesto commitment “to protect ... Sites of Special Scientific Interest and other environmental designations” you will therefore need to engage closely with the new Secretary of State for Leaving the European Union, David Davis, to consider how environmental protections and their implementation can be strengthened as we negotiate a new relationship with the EU27.

On the other hand, you have an opportunity to shape a public debate about how best to support land management that is good for farmers, good for people and good for the environment.  We would encourage...

...a shift away from a focus on direct subsidies with few strings attached, towards a policy that supports progressive, innovative farmers, providing them with the certainty to engage in more sustainable production

...public money being focused on the environmental challenges that farmers are uniquely placed to meet, such as the conservation of species, restoration of habitats and natural flood risk management. This should build on the progress already made through agri-environment schemes and rural development programmes across the UK

...a transition period toward new arrangements that allows time for farmers and land managers to adapt, and for new policies to be piloted. This is particularly important for the most economically vulnerable farmers, such as those in our extensive livestock sector, who are often farming in marginal, but high nature value areas.

By Christmas

I hope that you will have begun to put flesh on the bones of your 25 year plan for the environment, demonstrating how land and sea can be well managed for both people and wildlife.  There are many organisations including the RSPB that are keen to share their experience on what works.  We are keen to help you develop a plan with the right mix of laws, incentives and public engagement so that you will be confident that you will be providing a legacy for future generations of ensuring life will be returning to our land and seascapes.

RSPB Haweswater, being restored with our landlord, United Utilities

This will also help you on the international stage as in December, you will have the opportunity to participate in the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.  It would be great for you and great for the UK to be able to report on progress that the UK has made in halting the loss of biodiversity at home, on our overseas territories and internationally.  It is an opportunity to raise the political stakes for and inject much needed urgency into global action for wildlife.

And finally...

Please do take time out in your new role to see some wildlife.  We would be happy to show you some of the work we are doing with others to put life, sound and colour back into our landscapes.  Not only will this inspire you but it will also help you remain resilient when you face major challenges for which Defra is responsible such as disease, invasive species and floods...     

Rest assured, the RSPB is here to help you be a success for nature.

I wish you well in your new role.

Martin Harper

Conservation Director, RSPB