First, the good news. Defra and the Home Office have provided a funding lifeline to the National Wildlife Crime Unit. This is an important part in our fight against wildlife crime and Ministers Richard Benyon and Jeremy Browne deserve credit for securing the funding in this tough spending environment.
Second, the bad news comes from Brussels where the European Parliament Agriculture Committee has voted on proposals to reform to the Common Agriculture Policy. The votes signalled a significant watering down of environmental elements of the original Commission proposals. I shall say more on this once we have had a chance to digest the proposals but first impressions are that it is bad for wildlife-friendly farming and bad value for taxpayers money. The agriculture committee’s vote is, however, not the endgame and there will be an opportunity for these dangerous decisions to be overturned during the European Parliament’s plenary vote, scheduled for March. And, of course, there is the small matter of the Heads of State meeting in February.
Which reminds me...
Mr Cameron gave a speech on Europe yesterday. In his vision for a new Europe he highlighted the need for co-operation on issues such as climate change but then, in a section on his plans to renegotiate powers back to Britain, he said "We cannot harmonise everything. For example, it is neither right nor necessary to claim that the integrity of the single market, or full membership of the European Union requires the working hours of British hospital doctors to be set in Brussels irrespective of the views of British parliamentarians and practitioners. In the same way we need to examine whether the balance is right in so many areas where the European Union has legislated including on the environment, social affairs and crime."
While this is not a greenlight for overturning much loved environmental laws, the challenge is clear. Over the next few months (and years) we shall need to make the case for why consistent standards for protecting the environment across Europe makes sense. As I wrote last week, many of the EU's environmental laws are founded on the principle that no EU Member should be able to gain economic advantage by trashing its environment. So, even if Member States had no interest in protecting wildlife for its own sake, or for the considerable socio-economic value that it offers people, there is an argument for a level playing field to underpin competitiveness across Europe.
The debates on each of these issues (tackling wildlife crime, CAP reform, and the future of Europe) will run and run. But rest assured, we'll be doing what we can to ensure nature's voice is heard.
Good news on the "good" Martin, although taking a step back and looking at this from a distance such funding for up-holding ALL the laws in this country should never be in doubt. However given the current econmic situation and the very ambivalent attitude this Government seems to have toward wildlife enhancement and protection, I suppose it must be rated as an achievement. Once agan very well done to the RSPB as I am sure they were involved in lobbying behind the scenes on this.
On "bad" CAP issue it looks as though considerable loobying is going to be needed to try to overturn the Aricultural Committee's short sighted and misguided vote. I know the RSPB will be in the front row leading that lobbying.
On the "uncertain", you are absolutely right Martin about the "level playing field" being so important an issue in the area of environmental legislation. From many aspects this is a dangerous avenue into which Cameron is trying to take this country, as I am sure the unwritten agenda of a proportion of his supporters is to drive a "coach and horses" through the EU environmental legislation, part of which is so important for protecting our wildlife. (Mr Osborne's tirade against the EU Birds and Habitat Directives indicates this). Hopefully they will never have that opportunity, but it is potentially a very serious threat and I know once again the RSPB will be watching the situation like a "hawk".
redkite